UK space sector and MDA partner to deliver
game-changing capabilities for the new space economy
FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 18, 2018
/PRNewswire/ - MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly
MacDonald, Dettwiler and
Associates Ltd.), (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), today announced it has
received a commitment from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to develop
leading edge space robotics capabilities in the United Kingdom. The agreement, valued at
CA$1.7 million, enhances MDA's ability to lead a European
consortium bidding on the first phase of the European Space
Agency's (ESA) Space Servicing Vehicle (SSV) Robotics Program.
Leveraging capabilities from its recently announced acquisition
of Neptec Design Group Ltd. (Neptec), MDA is developing robotics,
tools, and sensors solutions for various on-orbit servicing
applications that will allow satellites to perform longer missions,
saving money for their operators. Space robotics are a key enabler
for the new space economy, powering applications such as servicing,
repairing, re-fuelling and de-orbiting of satellites and building
large structures in space, and MDA is strongly positioned to
capture growth in this market. Neptec and MDA have operations based
in Harwell, UK which have supported European commercial and
government satellite projects since 2009.
To support both the existing Earth orbiting satellite industry
and the lunar, interplanetary and asteroid mining markets that are
poised for significant growth, ESA has been working on the concept
of Space Servicing Vehicles, capable of services such as:
- Servicing spacecraft on orbit, i.e., travelling from one
spacecraft from another to provide fuel, replace a battery or fix a
solar panel.
- Tugging of spacecraft from one orbit to another, i.e., from Low
Earth Orbit to geostationary orbit, or from Earth orbit to lunar
orbit.
- On-orbit assembly, i.e., placing several parts of a system
together, such as attaching an antenna onto a spacecraft
on-orbit.
"We are excited to bring MDA's innovative and world-leading
robotics and sensor technology to the space industry in the
United Kingdom," said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. "We look
forward to building on this core on-orbit servicing capability and
exploring growth opportunities for greater participation by the
United Kingdom in larger
commercial programs. Investing in the future of the space industry
promotes growth of both capabilities and jobs."
About MDA
MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics,
space sensors, satellite payloads, antennas and subsystems,
surveillance and intelligence systems, defence and maritime
systems, and geospatial radar imagery. MDA's extensive space
expertise and heritage translates into mission-critical defence and
commercial applications that include multi-platform command,
control and surveillance systems, aeronautical information systems,
land administration systems and terrestrial robotics. MDA is also a
leading supplier of actionable mission-critical information and
insights derived from multiple data sources. Founded in 1969, MDA
is recognized as one of Canada's
most successful technology ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal, Halifax and the United Kingdom. MDA is a Maxar Technologies
company (TSX: MAXR) (NYSE: MAXR). For more information, visit
www.mdacorporation.com.
About Maxar Technologies
As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar
Technologies (formerly MacDonald,
Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy,
developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the
information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for
commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar
Technologies provides vertically-integrated capabilities and
expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial
data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their
most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more
than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar
Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA,
SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of
people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data,
and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the
Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For
more information, visit www.maxar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements and
information, which reflect the current view of Maxar Technologies
Ltd. (the "Company") with respect to future events and financial
performance. The forward-looking statements in this regard include
statements regarding the award of a contract with a government
agency. Any such forward-looking statements are based on the
Company's current expectations, estimates, projections and
assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of
historical trends. The factors and assumptions underlying the
forward-looking statements in this release include contracts with
any government agency not being terminated. Any such
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from current expectations. The Company cautions readers that should
certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly
from those expected. The risks that could cause actual results to
differ from current expectations include, but are not necessarily
limited to: changes in government or intergovernmental priorities,
mandates, funding levels, contracts and regulations; system
failure; failure of third parties and subcontractors; and failure
to anticipate changes in technology, technical standards and
offerings or compliance with the requisite standards, or failure to
maintain technological advances and offer new products to retain
customers and market position.
For additional information with respect to certain of these
risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference
should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials
filed from time to time with Canadian and U.S. securities
regulatory authorities, which are available online under the
Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, under the Company's EDGAR
profile at www.sec.gov or on the Company's website at
www.maxar.com.
Contact
Wendy Keyzer | MDA Media Contact
| 1-604-231-2743 | wendy@mdacorporation.com
Jason Gursky | Maxar Investor
Relations | 1-303-684-2207 | jason.gursky@maxar.com
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SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd.