Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR), a global technology innovator powering the new space economy, was honored to host the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, at its Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, satellite manufacturing facilities on August 9 to view the final phases of construction of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). Also on hand for the visit was Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
The RCM satellites are being built for the CSA and represent the third generation of this synthetic aperture radar satellite technology that MDA has built for the Canadian government. The satellite system is designed primarily for maritime surveillance, disaster management and ecosystem monitoring and will allow Canada to keep an eye on its oceans, forests, wetlands, farmlands, natural resources, transportation corridors and ocean approaches. The three spacecraft will be launched together on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California later this year.
During his visit, the Prime Minister helped to place a thermal blanket on one of the satellites to protect it from the extreme temperatures in space. He also witnessed the Industry 4.0 advanced digital manufacturing techniques that MDA has developed to manufacture high-tech solutions for space systems.
“It was a tremendous honor to showcase our technology to the Prime Minister and share the achievements of our strong partnership with the Canadian Space Agency,” said Maxar President and CEO Howard Lance. “MDA has been a leader in space-based radar for five decades, now working in concert with Maxar’s three other industry-leading companies to accelerate innovation for the new space economy.”
“The RADARSAT program, including RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2, has put Canada and MDA in a global leadership position for space-based radar technology and applications, and RCM will to extend and enhance this position,” said MDA Group President Mike Greenley. “This program would not be possible without contributions from across MDA’s facilities and employees in Richmond, Brampton, Halifax, Montreal and St. Hubert, and our supplier chain of more than 125 Canadian companies in seven provinces.”
About Maxar Technologies
As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically-integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com.
About MDA
MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics, space sensors, satellite antennas and subsystems, surveillance and intelligence systems, defence and maritime systems, and geospatial radar imagery. MDA’s extensive space expertise and heritage translates into mission-critical defence and commercial applications that include multi-platform command, control and surveillance systems, aeronautical information systems, land administration systems and terrestrial robotics. MDA is also a leading supplier of actionable mission-critical information and insights derived from multiple data sources. Founded in 1969, MDA is recognized as one of Canada’s most successful technology ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal, Halifax and the United Kingdom. MDA is a Maxar Technologies company (TSX: MAXR; NYSE: MAXR). For more information, visit www.mdacorporation.com.
