MDA

From Canada to America and back, MDA returns home
Maxar Technologies sold MDA for $729 million to a consortium of investors led by Northern Private Capital of Toronto, placing MDA right where it started: Canada. SpaceNews spoke to Mike Greenley about what’s next for MDA.

MDA to build search-and-rescue repeaters for GPS 3F satellites
The Canadian government has selected MDA to design, build and deliver 10 search-an- rescue repeaters for its Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue system to be hosted on the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation GPS satellites.

Meet Maxar, the space industry’s newest tech giant
MDA’s $2.4 billion merger with DigitalGlobe is the biggest space acquisition to close so far this year. But MDA Corp. CEO Howard Lance sees the merger as the combination of four companies, not two.

MDA slashes GEO order expectations
Commercial satellite operators will probably order half as many geosynchronous satellites this year than usual, deepening a drought that has affected satellite manufacturers for the past two years, MDA Corp. President and CEO Howard Lance said July 28.

Orbital ATK wins $48 million contract for Missile Defense Agency rocket motor sustainment
Orbital ATK will continue to support the Trident 1 and Orion rocket motors the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) uses for targets and interceptors.

MDA restarts satellite servicing business with SES as first customer
After scrapping an attempt at a satellite servicing business six years ago, MDA Corp. launched a new venture June 28 to repair and refuel satellites in orbit using a spacecraft it is building for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Japan has plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 — with a little help from the United States.
It also announced a first customer for that satellite servicing system, with satellite operator SES entering into an agreement for an initial life extension mission with options for future missions.

MDA seeks to provide extensive support to U.S. intelligence and defense agencies
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — MDA Corp.’s pending acquisition of DigitalGlobe will enhance the firm’s ability to offer U.S. defense and intelligence agencies not only imagery, but analysis and answers, said Rob Zit…

U.S. shows it can shoot down North Korean missile in successful test
The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) is designed to intercept and destroy missiles during the midcourse of their trajectory through space.

MDA views DigitalGlobe merger as hedge against cyclical satellite market
MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates told investors May 23 that its pending acquisition of geospatial imagery and services provider DigitalGlobe will help offset the revenue peaks and valleys of MDA’s satellite manufacturing business.

In buying DigitalGlobe, MDA ensures SSL will build just-disclosed WorldView Legion constellation
Before going public with their plans to merge, Canada’s MDA Corp. and DigitalGlobe were already working together on a next-generation imaging constellation that can revisit some locations on Earth up to 40 times in a day.

Missile defense tracking systems need to move to orbit, leaders say
As the U.S. military works on developing its next-generation missile defense systems, more of the resources need to be focused in space, experts said Dec. 14.

U.S. Air Force’s Greaves nominated to lead Missile Defense Agency
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, who has led the Defense Department’s efforts to end reliance on a Russian rocket engine, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to lead the Missile Defense Agency.

Utah State’s Space Dynamics Lab to continue research for MDA
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has awarded the Utah State University Research Foundation a contract to continue to research, develop and build state-of-the-art space-based sensors, according to an Aug. 16 announcement from the Pentagon.

MDA’s Syring: Space-based sensors are a “must”
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is considering a missile tracking capability from medium earth orbit as part of an ongoing study for future sensors.