Science dean: Vote ‘Athabasca’ for Canadian moon rover name!
The Canadian Space Agency is asking Canadians to vote on what a new lunar rover should be named, and “Athabasca” is the clear choice!
Athabasca University’s Faculty of Science and Technology is throwing its support behind efforts in the Athabasca region to have the new Canadian lunar rover named after the river that gives the region—and the university—its name.
The Canadian Space Agency has invited Canadians to vote for the name of the first Canadian rover on the moon. The four options are: Athabasca, Courage, Glacier, and Pol-R.
Science dean Dr. Shauna Zenteno recently spoken on radio and television news programs to make it clear that Athabasca is the best choice for many reasons, not the least of which being that it encapsulates the meaning of all the other options.
“It represents the north, like Pol-R. It represents Glacier because the river comes from the Columbia Icefields, and it represents Courage because it’s an important part of our history and holds many stories of courage,” she said.
Athabasca an Indigenous name
Moreover, the Athabasca River has empowered humans to explore this region for thousands of years—the name carries a legacy of exploration will now continue with exploration of the moon.
The CSA has said the word Athabasca itself comes from a Cree word meaning, “Where there are plants after another,” noting Canada’s rivers and streams have been and continue to be pathways of discovery, transport, and exchange.
“Not only does this name represent the water and the ice that this lunar mission is hoping to find, it also represents the life that the river supports,” Zenteno said. “And in fact, that’s the purpose of finding water and ice on the moon—to support future space exploration.”
Athabasca and the North
Naming the lunar rover after the Athabasca River would also reflect an enormous and diverse area of Canada’s landscape.
From its source in Jasper National Park, it flows through important Albertan communities including Hinton, Whitecourt, Athabasca, and Fort McMurray before reaching the Peace-Athabasca Delta near the border with Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. Its water then flows through Canada’s vast North before emptying into the Arctic Ocean via the Mackenzie River system.
“The community and the river are an important part of our history, as well, as a university like no other,” she said. “Given the space science research we do, and our ability to engage Canadians with education, we hope this is the choice of Canadians.”
If the name Athabasca is chosen, the CSA has suggested future rovers in the fleet could similarly be named after important Canadian natural wonders.
Vote for Athabasca
Canadians can vote for the name Athabasca on the Government of Canada website until Dec. 20, 2024.
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