Follow-on contract kick-starts multi-year
build phase,
advances MDA Space commercial space robotics
leadership position
BRAMPTON, ON, June 27,
2024 /PRNewswire/ - MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a
trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space
industry, today announced that it has been awarded $1 billion from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
for the next phases of the Canadarm3 program. The most advanced
space robotics system ever conceived, Canadarm3 will be used aboard
Gateway, a multinational collaboration led by NASA to establish a
space station in lunar orbit to support human and robotic missions
to the surface of the Moon – a key element of the Artemis
program.
The contract includes funding for Phase C (final design) and
Phase D (construction, system assembly, integration and test) of
the full robotics system, comprised of a large arm, a smaller
dexterous arm, specialized tools for performing maintenance and
science tasks, as well as a ground segment for command and control.
MDA Space will support commissioning of the Canadarm3 robotics
system once in orbit from the company's new mission control
facility at its global headquarters and Space Robotics Centre of
Excellence in Brampton,
Ontario. The contract will also include planning and personnel
training in preparation for on-orbit mission operations.
"We are entering an exciting period where Canadarm3 will take
shape and come to life on our production floor. This critical
investment in Canadarm3 reinforces and expands our national and
industry leadership as a new era of space opens up," said
Mike Greenley, Chief Executive
Officer of MDA Space. "This major milestone also reflects our
strategy in action as we build our significant backlog and bring to
market a new generation of commercial space products and
services."
Leveraging technology derived from Canadarm3, MDA Space has
introduced a new suite of commercial space robotics, MDA
SKYMAKERTM, which will provide customers globally with
access to the world's most flight-proven space robotics solutions
and services. This contract is a key milestone in continuing to
progress the development of our commercial technologies that will
serve emerging markets such as commercial space stations, lunar
surface rovers and landers, satellite servicing in all orbits, and
in-space assembly and manufacturing. With commercialization being
an important goal of the Canadarm3 program, MDA Space is already
gaining traction in the rapidly-growing commercial space
market.
"This contract highlights Canada's commitment to the next chapter of
lunar exploration. Building on the legacy of strategic investments
in space robotics, Canadarm3 showcases our commitment to
innovation," added the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation,
Science and Industry. "Beyond enhancing Canada's position of developing and retaining
top talents and world-renowned innovators, this initiative supports
high-quality jobs and opportunities for growth within the country's
expanding space sector."
Phase C and D of the contract will involve over 200 Canadian
companies in the MDA Space supply chain, supporting job creation,
skills development and economic and export opportunities for the
Canadian space industry.
The contract is expected to run until March 2030, and will be added to MDA's backlog in
the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
ABOUT MDA SPACE
Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space
(TSX:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global space
industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer
with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions,
MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth
and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure.
The MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK has the knowledge
and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an
achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of
experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that's been
in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push
boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for
the better, we'll take you there. For more information, visit
mda.space.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward–looking information within
the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects
the Company's current expectations regarding future events.
Forward–looking information is based on a number of assumptions and
is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which
are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results
and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or
implied by such forward–looking information. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors
discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information
Form available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. MDA Space does
not undertake any obligation to update such forward–looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.
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SOURCE MDA Space