Brampton-based space tech company MDA Space will build and launch a new satellite as part of an Earth-observing network under a new $688-million contract.<\/p>\n
Federal Industry Minister M\u00e9lanie Joly made the announcement this week that Brampton\u2019s MDA Space Ltd. will build a \u201creplenishment satellite\u201d for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission network.<\/p>\n
A constellation of three satellites that can scan up to 90 per cent of the Earth\u2019s surface up to four times a day, the RADARSAT program uses a constellation of three satellites and will help support Arctic security, guide operations on the ground, and help Canadian officials respond quickly to emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an increasingly dangerous and divided world, Canada is investing in modern surveillance systems to detect threats earlier,\u201d Joly said in a release.<\/p>\n
MDA Space will build and launch the new satellite, which the Canadian Space Agency says is expected to be online in the early 2030s. Ottawa says the new satellite project is expected to create about 100 jobs for the duration of the project.<\/p>\n
The company was founded in 1969 as a small start-up by John S. MacDonald and Vern Dettwiler in the basement of MacDonald\u2019s Vancouver home and has since grown to become a space industry tech leader.<\/p>\n
Operating out of its $100-million Brampton headquarters<\/a>, MDA Space is an international space mission partner that landed a $1-billion contract for the next phases of Canadarm3<\/a>, and is also part of the Lightspeed LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite constellation project \u2013 a network of 200 satellites.<\/p>\n MDA has also worked with the Canadian government to keep an eye on the military movements of Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n Jean-Claude Piedboeuf, the Canadian Space Agency\u2019s acting president, says the satellite uses radar technology, which allows them to see through clouds, rain and snow.<\/p>\n