Toronto firm’s cooling system for NASA’s Artemis IV faces uncertainty as U.S. budget proposal puts moon mission at risk.
Berg’s Breakthrough Tech Caught in Lunar Crossfire
Toronto-based Berg Chilling Systems has crafted a highly specialized cooling unit for NASA’s Artemis IV mission, aiming to support human spaceflight back to the moon. The unit, installed atop the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) at Kennedy Space Center, is engineered to endure the intense environment of the Space Launch System (SLS)—including searing heat of 1,200°C and liftoff forces reaching 8.9 million pounds of thrust.
Despite its readiness, political tides may leave the system grounded. The Trump administration’s proposed 2026 budget suggests a pivot away from the moon mission, placing the future of Artemis IV—and Berg’s tech—under threat.
Built to Cool, Designed to Last
Berg’s cooling hardware is “purpose-built” for the ML2 platform and the Orion capsule it supports. According to company president Don Berggren, this project ranks among the firm’s “most technically demanding” in its 52-year history. Beyond Artemis IV, the cooling unit is designed with durability in mind—engineered to resist decades of corrosion and serve NASA for up to 25 years.
But the uncertainty surrounding Artemis IV casts doubt on whether the system will ever fulfill its mission. “If Artemis IV is cancelled, the cooling system may not be used,” spokesperson Stephanie Yeung told BetaKit.
Why the Moon Still Matters
Berg Chilling Systems and other stakeholders in the space sector continue to advocate for the lunar mission. The moon, they argue, is a crucial stepping stone to Mars. “To go to Mars, NASA has got to go to the moon first,” said Yeung, emphasizing that lunar operations provide essential testing grounds for technologies destined for deep space.
NASA’s Artemis program is designed to reestablish a sustained human presence on the moon for the first time since 1972. Originally aiming for a 2024 crewed landing, NASA has now moved that goal to 2027. Artemis IV, scheduled for a 2028 launch, would send astronauts and a habitation module to the Lunar Gateway—an orbital platform that supports moon landings and future Mars missions.
Canada’s Longstanding Role in Space Innovation
Canadian technology has long played a vital role in NASA’s endeavors. From the iconic Canadarm systems developed by Spar Aerospace and MDA Space to the upcoming Canadarm3 for the Lunar Gateway, Canada’s engineering talent has been indispensable.
Recent milestones include KA Imaging—a spinoff from the University of Waterloo—which contributed the first medical X-ray system in space aboard the Fram2 private mission.
Despite setbacks, Canada’s contributions to space exploration remain a point of national pride and global significance.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more on Canada’s role in global space innovation.
