MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.), (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), today announced it has received a commitment from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to develop leading edge space robotics capabilities in the United Kingdom. The agreement, valued at CA$1.7 million, enhances MDA’s ability to lead a European consortium bidding on the first phase of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space Servicing Vehicle (SSV) Robotics Program.

Leveraging capabilities from its recently announced acquisition of Neptec Design Group Ltd. (Neptec), MDA is developing robotics, tools, and sensors solutions for various on-orbit servicing applications that will allow satellites to perform longer missions, saving money for their operators. Space robotics are a key enabler for the new space economy, powering applications such as servicing, repairing, re-fuelling and de-orbiting of satellites and building large structures in space,  and MDA is strongly positioned to capture growth in this market. Neptec and MDA have operations based in Harwell, UK which have supported European commercial and government satellite projects since 2009.

To support both the existing Earth orbiting satellite industry and the lunar, interplanetary and asteroid mining markets that are poised for significant growth, ESA has been working on the concept of Space Servicing Vehicles, capable of services such as:

  • Servicing spacecraft on orbit, i.e., travelling from one spacecraft from another to provide fuel, replace a battery or fix a solar panel.
  • Tugging of spacecraft from one orbit to another, i.e., from Low Earth Orbit to geostationary orbit, or from Earth orbit to lunar orbit.
  • On-orbit assembly, i.e., placing several parts of a system together, such as attaching an antenna onto a spacecraft on-orbit.

“We are excited to bring MDA’s innovative and world-leading robotics and sensor technology to the space industry in the United Kingdom,” said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. “We look forward to building on this core on-orbit servicing capability and exploring growth opportunities for greater participation by the United Kingdom in larger commercial programs. Investing in the future of the space industry promotes growth of both capabilities and jobs.”

About MDA

MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics, space sensors, satellite payloads, 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.

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.