MDA Space

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Canadian space technology company

title: "MDA Space" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["aerospace-companies-of-canada", "companies-listed-on-the-toronto-stock-exchange", "space-industry-companies-of-canada", "companies-based-in-brampton", "manufacturing-companies-established-in-1969", "canadian-companies-established-in-1969", "1969-establishments-in-british-columbia", "manufacturing-companies-based-in-ontario"] description: "Canadian space technology company" topic_path: "geography/canada" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDA_Space" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Canadian space technology company ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]

FieldValue
nameMDA Space Ltd.
logoMDA Ltd. Logo.svg
typePublic
traded_as
industryAerospace
predecessorMaxar Technologies; MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates; Spar Aerospace
successor
foundedin Vancouver, Canada
founders
defunct
hq_location_cityBrampton, Ontario
hq_location_countryCanada
area_served
key_people
productsGeointelligence, robotics, space operations, and satellite systems
num_employees3000
num_employees_year2024
website
::

| name = MDA Space Ltd. | logo = MDA Ltd. Logo.svg | logo_caption = | logo_alt = | type = Public | traded_as = | industry = Aerospace | fate = | predecessor = Maxar Technologies; MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates; Spar Aerospace | successor = | founded = in Vancouver, Canada | founders = | defunct = | hq_location_city = Brampton, Ontario | hq_location_country = Canada | area_served = | key_people = | products = Geointelligence, robotics, space operations, and satellite systems | num_employees = 3000 | num_employees_year = 2024 | website = MDA Space Ltd. is a Canadian space technology company headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, that provides geointelligence, robotics, space operations, and satellite systems.

History

John S. MacDonald and Vern Dettwiler founded MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates in the basement of MacDonald's Vancouver home in 1969. On 17 November 1995, the company became a subsidiary of Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), a U.S.-based company.

MDA was the primary contractor for, and took ownership of, the RADARSAT-2 Earth observation satellite.

In March 1999, MDA bought the space robotics division of Spar Aerospace, manufacturer of the Canadarm, and renamed it MD Robotics. The company completed the Mobile Servicing System (including the Canadarm2) for the International Space Station. OSC sold its entire stake in 2001. Nearly 70% was sold to a group of Canadian investors; the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) became the largest shareholder with a 29% stake.

In the 2000s, MDA experienced difficulties winning government contracts in the United States due to its foreign ownership. In 2008, an attempt to sell the space division to Alliant Techsystems was blocked by the Canadian government on national security grounds. The subsequent lack of Canadian business led to layoffs. The real estate information business was sold in early 2011, with MDA buying Space Systems/Loral from Loral Space & Communications in 2012, resulting in OTPP reducing its stake to less than 10%.

MDA purchased DigitalGlobe and rebranded as Maxar Technologies in 2017, the company moved its headquarters to Colorado, United States.

On 8 April 2020, Toronto-based investment firm Northern Private Capital bought the MDA assets from Maxar for (). and named the new company MDA Ltd., while establishing its headquarters in Canada.

On 9 December 2020, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) awarded MDA a contract to develop and construct the Canadarm3 as part of Canada's contribution to the NASA-led Lunar Gateway Program. The contract is for the first phase of the program, worth C$22.8 million, with options for follow-on phases. The contract was further confirmed on 16 December 2020, when NASA and the CSA announced the finalised agreement to collaborate on the Gateway, which included the robotic arm system Canadarm3, the installation of two scientific instruments, and a commitment to provide two crew positions for Canadian astronauts.

On 7 April 2021, MDA became a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol MDA.

On 16 August 2023, Telesat announced it had chosen MDA to build 198 small satellites for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) program. The project will utilize MDA’s digital beamforming array antennas and integrated regenerative processor. The Lightspeed satellite is slightly smaller than the previously considered one. Antenna will be designed and manufactured in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.

On 7 March 2024, MDA announced it had rebranded to MDA Space.

Facilities

Canada

International offices

References

References

  1. "Space-tech firm MDA back in Canadian hands with $1B sale to investors including Balsillie".
  2. Dotto, Lydia, 1949-. (1992). "A heritage of excellence : 25 years at Spar Aerospace Limited". Spar Aerospace Ltd.
  3. Orbital Sciences Corporation. (27 June 2000). "Form 10-K/A Orbital Sciences Corp /de/ Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405]". [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  4. Public Works and Government Services Canada. (September 2009). "Evaluation of the RADARSAT-2 Major Crown Project". Canadian Space Agency.
  5. Bingham, Richard. (25 January 2002). "To Infinity and Beyond".
  6. Orbital Sciences Corporation. (18 June 2001). "Orbital Completes Initial Phase of MDA Divestiture With Sale of 12.35 Million Shares for $112 Million".
  7. Orbital Sciences Corporation. (31 May 2001). "Orbital Completes Initial Phase of MDA Divestiture With Sale of 12.35 Million Shares for $112 Million".
  8. (10 July 2012). "Ontario Teachers cash in 1.35 million MDA shares".
  9. Loral Space & Communications. (2 November 2012). "Loral Closes Sale of Space Systems/Loral to MDA".
  10. Maxar Technologies. (5 October 2017). "MDA Completes Acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Creates Industry Leader in Satellite Systems, Earth Imagery, Geospatial Solutions and Analytics".
  11. "Maxar Technologies, parent of DigitalGlobe, moves HQ to Colorado".
  12. Leslie, Swartman. (8 April 2020). "Iconic Space Technology Firm Returns to Canadian Control".
  13. "Group led by John Risley to buy Canadarm maker MDA in $1-billion deal".
  14. "Canadarm maker to be acquired by Canadian investors in $1B deal".
  15. (2019-12-30). "Canadarm owner to be bought by Canadian group".
  16. (2020-12-08). "Canadian Space Agency awards Canadarm3 contract worth $22.8M to MDA".
  17. Potter, Sean. (2020-12-16). "NASA, Canadian Space Agency Formalize Gateway Partnership for Artemis".
  18. "MDA LTD. ANNOUNCES PRICING OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING".
  19. Accessed 19 August 2023, https://mda.space/en/article/mda-selected-for-major-role-on-telesat-lightspeed/
  20. Accessed 19 August 2023, https://www.telesat.com/press/press-releases/telesat-contracts-mda-as-prime-satellite-manufacturer-for-its-advanced-telesat-lightspeed-low-earth-orbit-constellation/
  21. Accessed 7 March 2024, https://mda.space/en/article/mda-rebrands-to-mda-space

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aerospace-companies-of-canadacompanies-listed-on-the-toronto-stock-exchangespace-industry-companies-of-canadacompanies-based-in-bramptonmanufacturing-companies-established-in-1969canadian-companies-established-in-19691969-establishments-in-british-columbiamanufacturing-companies-based-in-ontario