Richmond-based information solutions provider MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA)(MDA) has secured a US$280 million deal to service Intelsat S.A.’s satellites.
MDA is planning to launch a space infrastructure servicing (SIS) vehicle into near geosynchronous orbit, where the vehicle will service commercial and government satellites in need of fuel, repositioning and other maintenance, using a robotic arm.
According to Intelsat, the SIS vehicle is the first of its kind and uses a sophisticated robotics and docking system. The system will be based on work that MDA has performed for NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and various U.S. Department of Defense agencies.
“We are very pleased to have Intelsat, the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services, as the anchor customer for our new SIS offering and our partner in accessing the U.S. government market,” Dan Friedmann, MDA president and CEO, said in a press release.
“There is a clear need to service the world’s space infrastructure, both commercial and government. The combination of MDA’s unparalleled and proven space servicing capabilities and Intelsat’s commercial and government market presence is a good way to get this new service off the ground.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will work together to finalize specifications over the next six months prior to authorizing the build phase of the program. The first refuelling mission is slated to be available 3.5 years following the beginning of the build phase – in early 2015.
MDA was not immediately available for comment.