On January 25, Dextre, a robotic manipulator aboard the International Space Station, completed a Robotic Refueling Mission demonstration that may be the first step towards achieving on-orbit refueling of satellites. “I don’t want to sound overly dramatic, but it is, or it might be, the start of what could be a revolution or a new era in how satellites are [...]
Post Tagged with: “MDA”
Canada Takes a Look at its Space Politics
On November 29, a Canadian aerospace review panel released a report on the state of the Candian Space Agency (CSA). One day earlier, Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau had launched a campaign to become the country’s opposition party leader, and eventually prime minister. The juxtaposition was coincidental, but one can’t help but wonder whether a prime minister who has himself travelled to [...]
Next Generation Canadarm Unveiled
After three years of development, prototypes of the Next Generation Canadarm were unveiled on September 27 by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA). The robotic arms were commisioned by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for $53.1 million. “We prepared all these new systems so that we will be well-positioned for the next thing in space,” said Gilles Leclerc, the CSA’s director-general of space exploration. [...]
MDA Acquires Loral Space Satellite Unit
MacDonald, Dettwile & Associates (MDA) has purchased Loral Space & Communications’ commercial satellite unit for $875 million, pending regulatory approval. The move gives the Canadian MDA an US base and transforms the company into a major player in commercial communications. “This is a game changing transaction for our Company,” said Daniel Friedmann, MDA’s president and CEO. “With one move, we [...]
MDA, Intelsat Cancel On-Orbit Servicing Deal
MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Corporation (MDA) and Intelsat announced January 16th that they would be canceling their collaborative agreement involving MDA’s Space Infrastructure Services (SIS) project, in which MDA would develop a satellite capable of refueling and servicing other satellites already in orbit. Intelsat had agreed to invest 280 million USD to finance the inaugural mission, which would have seen [...]
Canadian Space Agency Invests in Advanced Exploration Technologies
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced on October 27th that it will be investing in concept studies of “advanced exploration technologies”. Steve MacLean, the president of the CSA and a former CSA Chief Astronaut, said that: “space business is about turning science fiction into reality. By funding concept studies, the CSA helps nurture ingenious Canadian ideas so that our space [...]
