NASA boss in Ottawa, fuels speculation about new Canadian space-station role
OTTAWA — The head of the U.S. space agency lauded Canada’s expertise in artificial intelligence in Ottawa Tuesday, fuelling speculation that Canada will join its next bold venture to unlock the secrets of the moon.
Jim Bridenstine, the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, said he wants Canada’s decades-long space partnership with the U.S. to continue as it embarks on the creation of its new “Lunar Gateway” — the next-generation outpost the United States is planning to send into orbit around the moon.
“I want to be clear about how important it is: We want Canada to be a part of it, in a big way. In fact, Canada has very unique and exceptional capabilities when it comes to robotics and artificial intelligence,” Bridenstine told an event Tuesday, at the start of a two-day trip to the capital.
“The reason I’m here — the entire reason I’m here for the next two days — (is) we want international partners. Canada is a key to the success of this mission.”