Tag: MDA

RUAG Space’s Unique Tilting Satellite Dispenser System Takes Flight with RADARSAT Mission

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Credit: RUAG Space

BERN, Switzerland (RUAG Space PR) — Using its rich heritage of designing and building satellite dispensers, RUAG Space developed a unique satellite Dispenser that enables three large radar Earth observation satellites to simultaneously launch on a single launcher.

The Dispenser system connected the spacecraft to the launcher and ensured safe separation in orbit using a first-of-its-kind tilting mechanism. RUAG Space delivered the tilting Dispenser System to MDA, a Maxar company, to support the Canadian Space Agency’s RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM), which launched Wednesday, June 12 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 Set to Lift off Wednesday with 3 Canadian Radarsats

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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (SpaceX PR) — SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, June 12 for launch of RADARSAT Constellation Mission from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The primary launch window opens at 7:17a.m. PDT, or 14:17UTC, and closes at 7:30 a.m. PDT, or 14:30 UTC. The satellites will begin deployment approximately 54 minutes after launch. A backup launch window opens on Thursday, June13 at 7:17a.m. PDT, or 14:17 UTC,and closes at 7:30 a.m. PDT, or 14:30 UTC.

Falcon 9’s first stage for launch of RADARSAT Constellation Mission previously supported Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission in March 2019. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to land on SpaceX’s Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

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Manufacturing Teams Complete System Definition and Risk Management Phase for Telesat Constellation

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Credit: Telesat

OTTAWA, Ont. and WASHINGTON, DC, May 6, 2019 (Telesat PR) – Telesat announced today that the two teams it contracted with to develop system designs for Telesat’s global low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation have successfully completed the System Definition and Risk Management Phase of the program. One of the teams is Airbus Defence and Space. The other is a consortium of Thales Alenia Space and Maxar Technologies, the owner of SSL and MDA.

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New Coalition Formed to Revive Canadian Space Program

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A new coalition of industry, academic and interest groups has launched  a campaign called Don’t Let Go Canada in an effort to bolster the Canadian space program.

“While other countries have been increasing their investments in space, Canada has fallen from 8th place in 1992 to 18th place (% of GDP), and hasn’t had a long-term plan to guide Canada’s investments for decades,” the group said on its website.

“The economic stakes of space participation are higher than ever. The global space market is worth over USD $380B today; analysts forecast it will grow to be a multi-trillion-dollar market in coming decades,” the website states. “Ambitious governments are staking their claims. Luxembourg plans to be the leading country in space mining; the UK aims to capture 10 percent of the global space market by 2030.”

Among the members of the coalition are MDA, Honeywell, Magellan Aerospace, ABB, AIAC, Neptec, Canadian Space Society, Canadian Astronautics and Space Institute, and The Planetary Society. A full list of members is on the organization’s website.

The group is calling for a properly funded, long-term Canadian Space Strategy to guide the nation’s efforts. One pressing concern is a decision on whether Canada will participate in the U.S.-led Lunar Gateway program, which will place a human-tended station in orbit around the moon.

Frontier Aerospace Selected for NASA Award to Develop Deep Space Thruster Using MON-25/MMH Propellant

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Frontier Aerospace and Astrobotic team to develop MON-25/MMH thruster for Peregrine Moon landing

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Astrobotic/ Frontier Aerospace PR) – Frontier Aerospace Corporation is pleased to announce their selection by NASA’s Space Technology and Mission Directorate (STMD) for a “Tipping Point” award to provide flight qualification of Frontier’s Deep Space Engine (DSE) that utilizes MON-25/MMH propellant. The DSE engine will enable the design of smaller and less expensive propulsion systems for spacecraft as a result of the lower temperature freezing characteristics of MON-25/MMH propellant.

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Michael Rack Appointed President of MDA Commercial Division

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Michael Rack (Credit: CNW Group/Maxar Technologies Ltd.)

BRAMPTON, ON, July 27, 2018 (MDA PR) – MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.), (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), today announced the appointment of Michael Rack to serve as President of the newly-created MDA Commercial division beginning September 24, 2018. The addition of Rack, along with the recently announced appointment of Chris Pogue as President of MDA Government, rounds out the MDA senior leadership organization announced in June 2018.

Rack will lead MDA Commercial and have responsibility for global growth and operations of all the commercial product lines including space robotics, space sensors (the recently acquired Neptec), antennas and electronics, payloads, and non-space products. Rack will report to Mike Greenley, the Group President of MDA.
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Maxar’s MDA Acquires Neptec Design Group, a Leading Space Sensors Company

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BRAMPTON, ON, July 16, 2018 (MDA PR) — MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.), (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR), announced today it has acquired Neptec Design Group Ltd. (Neptec), the leading electro-optical and electro-mechanical systems and high-performance intelligent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) company for CA$42 million, comprised of approximately CA$8 million in cash and the balance in Maxar common shares.

With Neptec, MDA will deliver end-to-end robotic systems and an expanded set of solutions, positioning the company to capture growth in U.S., Canadian and global space exploration markets and accelerate advancement into new and expanding space segments. The transaction is accretive to Maxar’s operating earnings per share beginning in 2019, solidifies MDA’s leadership in space robotics innovation, and reinforces Maxar’s industry-leading space capabilities.

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Microsat Systems Canada Selects MDA to Provide Microsatellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (MSAR)

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MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (MSCI PR) – Microsat Systems Canada Inc (“MSCI”) announced today that they have selected MDA, a Maxar Technologies company, to provide the payload for a MSCI’s microsatellite based Synthetic Aperture Radar.

The MSAR satellite will have a wet mass of less than 180 kg, fit within a standard ESPA ring launch volume, and will provide a ground resolution of less than 1 meter.

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MDA Selected to Study Alternatives to Protect Canadian Space Assets

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Richmond, BC (MDA PR) – MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR), today announced that it has been awarded a contract by Public Service Procurement Canada on behalf of the Defence Research and Development Canada, under the Space Operations program within the Joint Force Development portfolio, to develop a Threat Detection and Early Warning System to provide protection for Canadian space-based assets. The contract is for the study, concepts and research and development phases which could lead to MDA pursuing subsequent phases of technology demonstration and technology pilot.

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XCOR Owes $27.5 Million to Creditors, Orbital Outfitters Out of Business

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Lynx engine hot fire. (Credit: XCOR)

The numbers are in on XCOR Aerospace’s bankruptcy, and as one would expect, they’re not real pretty.

The company has $1.1 million in assets and $1,424.66 in cash, according to documents filed with the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. XCOR owes $27.46 million to creditors, with $23.6 million in unsecured debts and $3.86 million in liabilities secured by assets.

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Maxar Technologies (Formerly MDA) Names New Leadership Team After DigitalGlobe Acquisition

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SAN FRANCISCO and VANCOUVER, BC – MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA” or the “Company”) (TSX: MDA), a leading global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets, today announced senior executive appointments following the completion of MDA’s acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Inc. (“DigitalGlobe”). The appointments strengthen and position the Company to serve the U.S. government, international governments and the Company’s commercial customers as a mission-critical partner with an expanded portfolio of space technology solutions.

“This is a very strong group of talented senior executives,” said Howard L. Lance, president and chief executive officer of MDA. “With the new appointments we are announcing today, in addition to our existing team, I am more confident than ever in our ability to anticipate and serve the changing needs of our customers and grow our business in the U. S., Canada and around the world.”
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MDA Completes Acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Changes Name & Lists on NYSE

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SAN FRANCISCO and VANCOUVER, BC (MDA PR) – MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA” or the “Company”) (TSX: MDA), a global communications and information company providing technology solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide, today announced it has completed its acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Inc. (“DigitalGlobe”), the global leader in high resolution Earth imagery and information about our changing planet. The merger creates the leading integrated commercial provider of satellites, imagery and geospatial solutions to commercial and government customers worldwide. The newly combined company will offer a broader set of space-based solutions, increased scale and a more diversified revenue base.

“Today is a very exciting day for our customers, partners, employees and shareholders,” said Howard L. Lance, president and chief executive officer of MDA. “Together, in partnership with the outstanding team at DigitalGlobe, our combined company will offer an unmatched suite of solutions, benefit from increased scale and a more diversified revenue base, and drive increased value by leveraging the sales channels of both companies. The combination of our strong, diversified core businesses will create expanded opportunities for team members and customers alike. I am very excited to get to work with the new leadership team to drive top and bottom line growth and future success.”
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NASA Awards SSL Next Phase Funding for Dragonfly On-orbit Assembly Program

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PALO ALTO, CA, Sept. 11, 2017 (SSL PR) – SSL, a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that NASA has awarded the next phase of funding for its ground-breaking Dragonfly on-orbit satellite assembly program. The contract modification to move forward with the detailed design of a semi-autonomous robotic system for in-space satellite assembly confirms NASA’s confidence in SSL and the success of this “Tipping Point” public private partnership, which is enabling the development of new technology that benefits both government and commercial space endeavors.

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SSL, NASA Complete PDR on Restore-L Servicing Satellite

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Artist’s conception of Restore-L servicing satellite with Landsat 7. (Credit: NASA)

PALO ALTO, Calif., August 8, 2017 (Space Systems Loral PR) — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that it successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for NASA’s Restore-L mission to provide satellite servicing in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).  With the completion of the PDR, Restore-L is proceeding on schedule to the next phase of development and its launch in 2020.

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DigitalGlobe Shareholders Approve Merger with MDA

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WESTMINSTER, Colo. (DigitalGlobe PR) — DigitalGlobe, Inc. (“DigitalGlobe”) (NYSE: DGI), the global leader in Earth imagery and information about our changing planet, today announced its preliminary results that its shareowners overwhelmingly voted to approve the Company’s proposed merger with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA”) (TSX: MDA) at a special meeting of DigitalGlobe shareowners held today.

Approximately 93 percent of the shares represented and voting at the meeting voted in favor of the merger. More than 53 million, 81 percent, of DigitalGlobe’s outstanding shares were voted at the meeting. Final results of the vote will be reported in a Form 8-K as required by applicable SEC rules.

“We are pleased with the strong support we received from shareowners for the merger of DigitalGlobe and MDA,” said Jeffrey R. Tarr, DigitalGlobe CEO. “This marks an important milestone in bringing together our two companies. Upon completion, this combination will expand our capabilities, increase our scale and diversify our revenue, creating powerful solutions for customers, greater value for shareowners and new opportunities for team members.”

MDA separately announced today that its shareowners also overwhelmingly voted to approve the issuance of MDA common shares to the holders of DigitalGlobe stock and certain equity awards in connection with the merger at a special meeting of MDA shareholders.

As previously announced, the transaction is expected to close in or shortly after the third quarter of 2017, subject to approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) and other customary approvals and closing conditions.

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