Brampton (Ontario), 27 June 2000 – John Cannis, Parliamentary Secretary to
the Honourable John Manley, Minister of Industry Canada and Minister
responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, today announced on Mr. Manley’s
behalf the awarding of a

$72M contract to MD Robotics, of Brampton, Ontario. This contract will
advance a key Canadian contribution to building the International Space
Station.

This contract is aimed at supporting the logistics and engineering behind
the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). This system, which includes the new
generation CANADARM, is indispensable to the assembly of the Space Station.
Almost 600 jobs will be created in leading-edge engineering and space
technologies.

“Canada is accelerating the transition to the new global economy by
increasing its presence in new, promising technologies and markets. Through
our partnership with other nations in building the International Space
Station, we are pushing out the frontiers of innovation and human
exploration”, said Mr. Manley.

Mr. Cannis noted that “the jobs and expertise created in fields such as
robotics, a sector particularly attractive to young Canadians, help secure
Canada as a world leader in the technologies of today and tomorrow”.

Under the terms of the contract, MD Robotics will have the mandate to carry
out the maintenance of the MSS, to make required updates on its software, to
provide necessary spare parts and to maintain the engineering expertise
essential to the proper functioning of this new robotic manipulator for the
next three years.

The Mobile Servicing System

The Mobile Servicing System is a sophisticated robotic system critical to
the assembly, maintenance and servicing of the Space Station. The Canadian
elements of the MSS are comprised of four components including the Space
Station Remote Manipulator System, the Special Purpose Dexterous
Manipulator, the Mobile Base System and the Artificial Vision Unit. This
combination represents some of the most advanced robotics in the world.

The Canadian Space Agency

Created in 1989 and established in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian Space
Agency co-ordinates all elements of the Canadian Space Program and manages
five large sectors: Earth and Environment, Space Science, Human Presence in
Space, Satellite Communications and Generic Space Technologies. The Canadian
Space Agency strives to be at the leading edge of the development and
application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.

MacDonald Dettwiler

MacDonald Dettwiler is an information company that provides essential
information from anywhere in the world for decision-making in the workplace.
The company operates its business through two principal groups: the
Information Products Group and the Information Systems Group. The
Information Products Group delivers essential land information products and
services in three categories including: Legal Information, Asset
Information, and Geographical Information.

The Information Systems Group provides mission critical information systems
to three major applications: Monitoring Activities on the Planet, Managing
Mobile Assets, and Enabling the Mobile Workforce. MD Robotics is a MacDonald
Dettwiler subsidiary operating within the Information Systems Group.
MacDonald Dettwiler employs 1700 people around the world through a network
of offices, subsidiaries, and distributors.

The International Space Station

The International Space Station is the largest and most ambitious space
program since the Apollo moon landings and the largest scientific joint
effort among nations in history. Key partners in the program include Canada,
the United States, Japan, Russia, and a consortium of European communities
under the flag of the European Space Agency. Each of the international
partners is providing key elements to the program. The first components of
the Station were placed in orbit in late 1998.

The Space Station will provide unique laboratories to conduct research in
fields such as astronomy, life sciences and materials, as well as locations
to assemble satellites and space platforms too large and fragile to launch
directly from Earth. The advanced technologies being used to construct the
Station will find applications in many industries on Earth.

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For more information:
Caroline Lavallée
Media and Public Relations Officer
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926-4370
Cell. : (514) 943-6808
E-mail: caroline.lavallee@space.gc.ca