WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine on the announcement Thursday by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Canada's support for the Gateway lunar outpost and deep space exploration:

"NASA is thrilled that Canada is the first international partner for the Gateway lunar outpost. Space exploration is in Canada's DNA. In 1962, Canada became the third nation to launch a satellite into orbit with Alouette 1. 

"Today, Canada leads the world in space-based robotic capabilities, enabling critical repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope and construction of the International Space Station. Our new collaboration on Gateway will enable our broader international partnership to get to the Moon and eventually to Mars."

For more information on the Gateway, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars/lunar-outpost 

Learn more about NASA's Moon to Mars exploration plan, go to:

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-secures-first-international-partnership-for-moon-to-mars-lunar-gateway-300804368.html

SOURCE NASA