Richmond-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA) has signed a $4 million contract to provide Russia with technical support for Canadian earth observation satellite information.
MDA has built two ground stations that will receive information from RADARSAT-2, a Canadian earth observation satellite. They were built for ScanEx Research and Development Centre in Russia.
The ground stations are located at the Samara State Aerospace University and the Northern Arctic Federal University, which will also use the RADARSAT-2 data in their educational and scientific programs.
MDA will also provide training and maintenance, as well as downlinks that allow the stations to receive RADARSAT-2 information.
The RADARSAT-2 satellite can tracks ships through clouds, so it can provide information that is important to maritime safety. It will cover Russia’s arctic region, and will help Russian ships navigate its Northern Sea route. The information will be used to help Russian authorities respond to oil spills and other maritime incidents.
David Hargreaves, MDA’s vice-president of integrated information solutions, said, “The establishment of this RADARSAT infrastructure in Russia forms a basis for future business growth in both government and commercial markets in Russia and surrounding countries.”
Nelson Bennett
Twitter: nbennett_biv