TAMPA, Fla. — The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has announced a contract extension valued at approximately $182 million with MDA Space, extending support for robotics operations on the International Space Station (ISS) until 2030.
Under this extended agreement, MDA Space will assume robotics flight controller responsibilities, augmenting its longstanding provision of operational readiness support for the Mobile Servicing System on the ISS since 2001.
Previously, MDA Space primarily provided training to personnel from CSA and NASA on operating the system, which includes the station’s 17-meter Canadarm2 robotic arm, along with mission planning and engineering assistance.
The majority of ISS robotic operations are executed by ground-based flight controllers, facilitating tasks such as spacecraft berthing, equipment relocation and repair, station monitoring for damage, and astronaut support during spacewalks.
Commencing January 2025, MDA Space will oversee robotic operations with a dedicated team initially stationed at the CSA mission control center in Quebec, Canada.
Commercial Ventures
The expansion into flight controller support aligns with MDA Space’s launch of a new product line, Skymaker, introduced on April 10. The company aims to capitalize on emerging commercial opportunities after decades of government contracts.
Skymaker offers modular robotic technologies and services, with MDA Space offering to operate the technology on behalf of clients from its recently inaugurated mission control center in Ontario, Canada.
Holly Johnson, MDA Space’s vice president of robotics and space operations, emphasized the convenience for customers, stating, “There’s no need for them to become experts on space robotics and operations. We’re going to package that up into a full end-to-end mission services and operations offering.”
The Skymaker suite includes a range of robotic arm configurations, from one to over 15 meters in length, addressing diverse operational requirements.
Demand for space robotics in the commercial sector has surged, with MDA Space securing contracts for various projects, including providing robotics for a lunar rover concept selected by NASA for development.
Johnson highlighted Skymaker’s versatility, catering to spacecraft of dishwasher size and beyond, offering solutions for tasks ranging from delicate manipulations to heavy lifting.
Government Collaborations
Additionally, MDA Space is developing a robotic arm system for the U.S.-led Gateway space station orbiting the Moon, serving as Canada’s contribution to the initiative.
News of the ISS robotics contract extension coincides with the Canadian government’s proposal for the establishment of a National Space Council, aimed at coordinating space exploration, technology development, and research efforts.
The council forms part of Canada’s 2024 budget request, which earmarks approximately $6 million for the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP), focusing on lunar orbit, surface activities, and beyond.
MDA Space’s evolution, including the rebranding to MDA Space and the introduction of the Aurora software-defined satellite product line, reflects a broader transformation since its separation from Maxar Technologies in 2020.
With Telesat as the anchor customer, MDA Space’s Aurora satellites, part of the Lightspeed broadband network, are slated for launch by SpaceX in 2026.
Holly Johnson emphasized MDA Space’s commitment to innovation since becoming a standalone entity, investing extensively in product development and technology across its business segments.
Competing with entities like Maxar, Redwire, and GITAI, MDA Space continues to advance its offerings in the space robotics arena.