 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| TSX: MDA | |
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Maxar Technologies; MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates; Spar Aerospace |
| Founded | 1969; 56 years ago (1969)in Vancouver, Canada |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters | , Canada |
Key people |
|
| Products | Geointelligence, robotics, space operations, and satellite systems |
Number of employees | 3000 (2024) |
| Parent | Northern Private Capital Maxar Technologies  |
| Website | mda |
MDA Space Ltd. is a Canadian space technology company headquartered inBrampton, Ontario, Canada, that provides geointelligence, robotics, space operations, and satellite systems.[1]
MDASpace (formerlyMacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) was founded in 1969 byJohn S. MacDonald and Vern Dettwiler in the basement of MacDonald's Vancouver home.[2] On 17 November 1995, the company became a subsidiary ofOrbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), a U.S.-based company.[3]
MDA was the primary contractor for, and took ownership of, theRADARSAT-2 Earth observation satellite.[4]
In March 1999, MDA bought the space robotics division ofSpar Aerospace, manufacturer of theCanadarm, renaming itMD Robotics. The company completed theMobile Servicing System (including the Canadarm2) for theInternational Space Station.[5] OSC sold its entire stake in 2001.[6] Nearly 70% was sold to a group of Canadian investors; theOntario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP)[7] became the largest shareholder with a 29% stake.[8]
In the 2000s, MDA experienced difficulties winning government contracts in the United States due to its foreign ownership. In 2008, an attempt to sell the space division toAlliant Techsystems was blocked by the Canadian government on national security grounds. The subsequent lack of Canadian business led to layoffs. The real estate information business was sold in early 2011, with MDA buying Space Systems/Loral fromLoral Space & Communications in 2012,[9] resulting in OTPP reducing its stake to less than 10%.[8]
In 2017, MDA purchasedDigitalGlobe and rebranded asMaxar Technologies,[10] the company moved its headquarters to Colorado, United States.[11]
On 8 April 2020, Toronto-based investment firm Northern Private Capital bought the MDA assets from Maxar[12] forCA$1 billion (US$765 million).[13][14][15] and named the new companyMDA, while establishing its headquarters in Canada.[12]
On 9 December 2020, theCanadian Space Agency (CSA) awarded MDA a contract to develop and construct the Canadarm3 as part of Canada's contribution to the NASA-ledLunar Gateway Program. The contract is for the first phase of the program, worth C$22.8 million, with options for follow-on phases.[16] The contract was further confirmed on 16 December 2020, when NASA and the CSA announced the finalised agreement to collaborate on the Gateway, which included the robotic arm system Canadarm3, the installation of two scientific instruments, and a commitment to provide two crew positions for Canadian astronauts.[17]
On 7 April 2021, MDA became a publicly traded company on theToronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol MDA.[18]
On 16 August 2023,Telesat Canada announced it had chosen MDA to build 198 small satellites for the Telesat LightspeedLow Earth Orbit (LEO) program. The project will utilize MDA’s digital beamforming array antennas and integrated regenerative processor. The Lightspeed satellite is slightly smaller than the previously considered one. Antenna will be designed and manufactured in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.[19][20]
On 7 March 2024, MDA announced it had rebranded to MDA Space.[21]
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