Canada funds compact radiation monitor for deep space

The Canadian Space Agency has awarded Bubble Technology Industries a CAD $5.5 million contract to develop a compact instrument to measure neutron radiation exposure in space.

The Canadian Active Neutron Spectrometer (CANS) will collect data on neutron radiation levels during spaceflight, a key concern for crewed missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Radiation remains a major health and engineering challenge for long-duration human spaceflight. On Earth, the atmosphere and magnetic field reduce exposure. According to the Government of Canada, outside that protection, spacecraft and habitats face a harsher environment, including particles produced when cosmic rays interact with spacecraft structures and other materials.

Neutrons are a significant part of the radiation dose inside space vehicles. The agency estimates they account for about 30 per cent of total radiation exposure and notes that neutron exposure can cause serious biological damage and requires specialised protective measures.

The instrument is intended for missions lasting six months or more. CANS data is set to support research into how neutron radiation affects astronauts during extended stays in space.

Moon And Mars

Work on neutron measurement supports plans by Canada and international partners for missions to the Moon and, later, Mars. These missions involve longer travel times and different shielding constraints than operations in low Earth orbit, increasing focus on how radiation varies with mission profile, spacecraft design, and time spent outside protective fields.

CSA described the contract as part of Canada's broader contribution to human spaceflight and deep-space mission preparation. Canada has participated in the International Space Station program for decades, using the platform to run experiments relevant to astronaut health and space-environment monitoring.

In a statement, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry, called the award a reflection of Canada's expertise in space technology and radiation monitoring.

"As we look to the Moon and beyond, this homegrown technology will provide researchers with practical data to help protect astronauts from harmful radiation and offer concrete benefits on Earth for Canadians working in the nuclear and medical fields," she said.

The agency says CANS data could support applications on Earth, including cancer therapy, radiation protection for aircrews, nuclear threat detection and public safety, and nuclear and particle physics research.

Radiation exposure is associated with long-term health risks. The agency cited cataracts, bone marrow damage, and increased cancer risk among concerns linked to high radiation exposure in space and on Earth.

Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency, said the contract underscores the ISS's role as a testbed for technologies and knowledge for future exploration.

"The International Space Station (ISS) gives us an invaluable platform to improve the skills and knowledge we need to return to the Moon, and eventually to explore Mars," she said. "This Canadian radiation technology builds on decades of research and experiments, showcasing our continued commitment to making meaningful contributions to the future of space exploration."

Instrument Design

CANS is expected to improve on earlier approaches through automation and more continuous data collection. Previous Canadian technologies were larger or relied more heavily on human intervention. The agency describes CANS as compact and autonomous.

Bubble Technology Industries will develop the instrument under the contract. The announcement did not provide a development schedule, flight opportunity, or details of the mission hardware that will host the instrument.

ISS Heritage

The agency pointed to earlier radiation-detection experiments on the International Space Station, including MOSFET, a tool first developed for nuclear and medical applications and later adapted for space use.

It also highlighted EVARM, which, through 2002 and 2003, collected data on radiation exposure to specific areas of the body during spacewalks. The agency says that work contributed to improvements in a radiation detector now used in cancer clinics worldwide.

Neutron monitoring has also featured in prior Canadian ISS experiments through Radi-N and Radi-N2, both based on bubble detectors. The agency says these experiments measured neutron levels in different areas of the station and found that astronauts on the ISS receive neutron doses hundreds of times higher than those on Earth.