Gordon Osinski, an Earth sciences professor at Western University, has dedicated the last 20 years of his career to studying craters left behind by meteorites. His expertise in planetary geology has taken him all over the world, and now he has been selected to be part of the NASA team that will develop the lunar surface science plan for the next moon mission after more than 50 years.
Osinski is the only Canadian on the geology team announced by NASA for the Artemis III mission. This team of experts will be responsible for planning the scientific tasks to be carried out by astronauts who are expected to land near the south pole of the Moon in December 2025.
NASA has planned multiple Artemis missions to explore the moon and gather information to prepare for future missions to Mars. The Artemis II mission, which will include Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is set to send a crew of four into space in November next year for a figure-8 maneuver around the far side of the moon. This mission will be the first time humans have ventured so far from Earth.
On the other hand, the Artemis III mission, supported by Osinski, will be the first human-crewed mission to the lunar south pole since 1972. Osinski and his geology team will plan the scientific tasks to be carried out by astronauts during their moonwalks, including field geology studies, sample collection, imagery, and scientific measurements. The data collected will contribute to a deeper understanding of fundamental planetary processes.
With regards to the specific landing site, Osinski mentioned that NASA has not yet announced its location. However, once it is announced, his team will work with satellite imagery to develop a plan for the sites that the astronauts will potentially visit.
Osinski is also the scientific lead for Canada’s first lunar rover mission, which is scheduled to head to the moon’s south pole region in 2026. This is an exciting time for Canadians interested in planetary science, as there is a growing number of students and young scientists involved in these missions, according to Osinski.
He has always been interested in science but became deeply fascinated with space exploration after moving to Canada and collaborating with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. Now, he finds himself involved in the planning of the first mission back to the moon.
Chris Herd, a geologist at the University of Alberta who also studies meteorite impacts, expressed no surprise at Osinski’s selection for the Artemis III geology team. Herd stated that Osinski is an expert in impact cratering, the dominant geologic process in the solar system, and that the moon, being a natural laboratory for this process, makes him the ideal choice for the team.
Herd also mentioned that opportunities for Canadians to have a significant impact on space missions are increasing, as the Canadian space community has traditionally punched above its weight due to its small size. The representation of Canada in high-profile efforts like Artemis III is a significant achievement for Osinski and the Canadian space program as a whole.