When the first Canadian astronaut takes off to the moon with NASA’s next Artemis mission, he’ll do so wearing a new symbol of Canada’s efforts in space.
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) on Thursday (March 16) New logo debut (Opens in a new tab) To represent the growing role of the country’s space program.
“An exciting era of space exploration is unfolding before us, and the Canadian Space Agency seeks to enter this new chapter with a modern identification code,” read a Statement from the agency (Opens in a new tab). The Canadian Space Agency is updating its visual identity with a new streamlined logo.
Related: Everything you need to know about NASA’s Artemis program
The new label has two main components.
At the top is the maple leaf, Canada’s national emblem. According to the Canadian Space Agency, the paper “generates pride and a sense of belonging,” in addition to its association with the country, as it is known around the world.
The maple leaf also gives the impression of flight.
CSA’s description reads that it stands for “bold invention and forward-looking, willing to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.”
Behind the maple leaf are three stars, which in their simplest interpretation are a representation of space. The stars also aim to convey brilliance, intelligence, and experience, as well as the strength of a community that includes all participants in the Canadian space program, including industry, scientists, academia, and STEM organizations. .
The circular version of the logo also includes the full name of the agency which wraps around the top in both English and French (“Agence Spatiale Canadienne”) at the bottom.
In 2019, the Canadian Space Agency entered into a new agreement to help develop Gateway, a human-guided research and logistics platform in lunar orbit. For its part, the Canadian Space Agency and its industry partners are developing a new robotic system that will help repair and maintain the first small space station on the moon.
Referred to as “Canadarm3,” the new arm builds on Canada’s legacy by providing the original Canadarm for the Space Shuttle and Canadarm2, which is still in use on the International Space Station.
The Canadian Space Agency is also developing the country’s first robotic lunar rover, which in collaboration with NASA will assist in the international search for water ice in the lunar soil.
In exchange for these contributions NASA Reserve a seat for a Canadian Space Agency astronaut (Opens in a new tab) On its first manned mission to fly around the Moon in more than 50 years. The identities of the Artemis 2 crew members will be announced on April 3 during an event at NASA’s Ellington Field, near Johnson Space Center in Houston.
“Just Over the Moon proud to see Canada as one flying partner on this historic first mission with NASA,” Joshua Cortek, one of four active CSA astronauts eligible for a seat on Artemis 2, wrote in a social media post. . “Our unique innovative, exploratory and pioneering spirit is at work, and a direct link to Canada’s future prosperity and security.”
The new CSA logo replaces an earlier design first introduced on November 4, 1996. The now-retired sign also featured a maple leaf, but instead of taking out the logo, it was placed below a stylized skyline with the sun’s rays extending from behind and a vector extending into a four-pointed star (from Same style on the new logo). In place of the full name, the English and French abbreviations for the Canadian Space Agency (“CSA” and “ASC”) appeared in italics below the maple leaf.
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