The REX Rover will be closed from Monday, September 11 to Friday, October 6, 2023. Learn more here.
The REX Rover has landed at the museum! The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is thrilled to welcome REX, a Mars rover prototype. REX (short for Robot EXplorer) is one of thirteen rovers developed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), in collaboration with over 40 Canadian companies and universities for testing lunar and planetary vehicular tools.
Similar to Curiosity, Perseverance and NASA rovers presently exploring the Red Planet, REX is designed for collecting a variety of data and geological samples. Powered by rechargeable batteries and outfitted with a robotic arm, REX demonstrated its ability to successfully retrieve rock and soil samples during a 2010 joint NASA-CSA field test in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Simulation exercises are of vital importance to the space program. Robotic prototypes allow scientists to field-test operational procedures and new equipment, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful mission and preparing for future exploration of Mars.
The REX Rover is currently on display in the museum lobby.
REX specs:
- Size (Length, width, height): 1.52 m x 1.42 m x 0.76 m
- Mass: 140 kg
- Speed: 0.14 km/h
- Powered by: Electrical Power, rechargeable batteries