Richmond-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX:MDA) is participating in three U.S-based deep space exploration projects that could see its technology used to assist in the exploration of Venus or the Earth's moon.
The company said Wednesday that it is developing advanced technology concepts for NASA’s New Frontiers program.
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is providing MDA with $500,000 apiece for two projects within the program. The third project is in partnership with the University of Calgary. The CSA is funding that project as well, but the figure was not disclosed.
U.S. President Barack Obama has attempted to cut space exploration costs by having NASA use more robots and fewer humans.
MDA will develop conceptual designs for robotic arms to be used on sample-taking probes that would travel to Venus or the moon. NASA will select a winning proposal from the three candidates in mid-2011.
Obama’s new space strategy is a “dream made in heaven” for MDA, according to its president and CEO Daniel Friedmann, who added that MDA and other high-tech companies in Canada will not have access to the billions of dollars in expected contracts tied to the strategy if Canada does not solidify a long-term vision for its own space agency.
Learn more about Friedmann’s thoughts on Canada’s relationship with NASA in the print edition of BIV (See “MDA wants Canada involved in new U.S. space policy” – issue 1065, March 23-29, 2010).