A Brampton-based space technology company is expanding its role in Canada\u2019s national defence after securing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional satellite work to strengthen military communications across the Arctic.<\/p>\n
MDA Space Ltd. announced Tuesday (Aug. 4) that it has increased the value of its contract with Telesat by $474 million as the telecommunications company expands its Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit satellite constellation. The announcement also comes as the federal government confirmed MDA Space will serve as the prime contractor for part of a separate military satellite communications program supporting the Canadian Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
The new work builds on a strategic partnership announced last year between MDA Space, the Department of National Defence and Telesat under Canada\u2019s Enhanced Satellite Communications Project-Polar (ESCP-P), which is designed to improve secure communications in the Arctic.<\/p>\n
The project is intended to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with reliable communications across the country\u2019s northern regions, where satellite connectivity is critical for protecting Canadian sovereignty, coordinating with allies and responding to emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cReliable military communication in the Arctic is a necessity for protecting Canadian sovereignty, maintaining situational awareness, coordinating joint operations with allies, and responding quickly to emergencies in a region where every minute counts,\u201d MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley said in a statement. \u201cAs a Canadian-based global leader in space and satellite systems, MDA Space is proud to partner with Telesat and the Government of Canada to help equip the Canadian Armed Forces with some of the most advanced capabilities on the market to keep Canadians safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of Tuesday\u2019s announcement, Telesat said it is expanding its Lightspeed satellite constellation by 69 satellites, increasing the total number of fully funded satellites from 156 to 225.<\/p>\n
For MDA Space, the expansion means manufacturing 27 additional next-generation broadband satellites, bringing the company\u2019s total commitment for the Lightspeed program to 225 satellites.<\/p>\n
The contract increase also includes adding 500 megahertz of military Ka-band spectrum to satellites already under construction, replacing an equivalent amount of commercial capacity to support Canada\u2019s defence requirements.<\/p>\n
In a separate announcement, the Government of Canada said MDA Space has been selected as the prime contractor for a secure Ultra-High Frequency and X-band satellite constellation in medium Earth orbit that will also support the ESCP-P program. Telesat will serve as a subcontractor on that portion of the project, while negotiations continue on the final contract.<\/p>\n
Financial terms for the federal contract have not yet been disclosed.<\/p>\n
Although MDA Space is headquartered in Brampton, the company\u2019s Lightspeed satellites will be designed, built and tested at its high-volume manufacturing facility in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n
Founded more than 55 years ago, MDA Space employs more than 4,000 people worldwide and has participated in more than 450 space missions. The company is known internationally for its work in robotics, satellite systems, Earth observation and space exploration, making it one of Canada\u2019s largest and most recognized space technology firms.<\/p>\n