MDA Space Missions
The MDA Space Missions is a subsidiary of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates. The company develops and builds satellite systems, remote-controlled robot systems for various space agencies, the military as well as civilian businesses. The company offers expertise in the following areas:
- Remote-controlled robot, satellite systems and payload technologies
- Earth observation and photography, cartography
- Research and problem and solution proposals for the government, military, civilian purposes
- Robotics for medical purposes
MDA is a member of the British Columbia Technology Industry Association.
History
The parent company MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates was founded in 1969 by John S. MacDonald and Werner Dettwiler. In 1995, the merger with the company Orbital Sciences. Thereupon followed in the years 1995-1999 several acquisitions of technology companies such as Alliance Space Systems, based in the USA. In 1999 the company Space and Advanced Robotics in Brampton, Ontario, was acquired by SPAR Aerospace. In 2001 the acquisition of Atlantic Technologies of Huntsville, Alabama. Followed in 2001, the IPO of MDA on the Toronto Stock Exchange ( TSX). In June 2012, the takeover of the us space company Space Systems / Loral by MDA was announced. The transaction is valued at approximately $ 875 million and should be completed by fall 2012. The acquisition MDA rises to one of the world 's largest satellite manufacturer on .. On November 2, 2012 gave the U.S. supervisory authority their consent to the adoption.
Locations
- Robotics / Terrestrial: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- Terrestrial: Aurora, Ontario, Canada
- Satellite Missions: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
- Enabling Technologies: Sainte -Anne- de -Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
- U.S. Headquarters: Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Engineering Services, Dynacs Military and Defense: Houston, Texas, USA
- Satellite Missions: San Diego, California, USA
- Space Systems / Loral Palo Alto, California, USA
- Alliance Space Systems: Pasadena and Los Alamitos, both California and Boulder, Colorado, USA
- European Operations: Chilton, Oxfordshire, UK
Projects
The company has worked on the following missions and supplied components or entire satellites.:
- Contributions to grab arms on the International Space Station Remote Manipulator System ( Canadarm )
- Canadarm2
- Orbiter Boom Sensor System
- Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator
- International Space Station (ISS) communications subsystems
- RADARSAT -1
- RADARSAT -2
- RapidEye Constellation - ( network consisting of 5 satellites)
- Sapphire - Canadian military space surveillance satellite
- MSAT Communications
- Alouette
- Brasilsat
- Anik D
- Anik e
- Nimiq 4-6
- Astra 1A
- Astra 3B
- Arabsat 5A and 5B Arabsat
- Amazonas 2
- Express AM 4, 5 and 6
- Hotbird 8, 9 and 10
- Inmarsat -4
- MEASAT 3
- MTSAT -1R
- Contributions to space probes Robot arm and weather station at the Lander Phoenix Mars probe
- Alpha Particle X -ray Spectrometer ( APXS ) Mars Mars Science Laboratory
Current issues in the development
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission ( RCM) - Earth observation satellite
- CASSIOPE Communications - Communication Cable / satellite research
Service missions in Earth orbit
The company has developed a method by which one can satellite in Earth orbit, which have no more fuel and therefore useless, but are fully functional in itself, refuel and use for several years. This filling process is to take place by means of robotic system at an altitude of 36,000 km and be suitable for different types of satellites. This method is a good way to use the satellite for more than a world first and for satellite operators. First satellite operators, including the U.S. military have expressed interest in this technology. The American satellite operator Intelsat graduated with MDA, a contract for $ 280 million. The first servicing mission for refueling to take place in 2015.