SatOps Capability Extended Under CSA/MDA Contract
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded a contract to MDA to extend satellite operations (SatOps) capability. Under the contract, MDA will provide satellite flight operations and data management services for the Agency's Earth observation and space situational awareness satellite missions.
"In addition to continuing to build on our decades long partnership with the Canadian Space Agency, this project will extend our key role on the RADARSAT Constellation Mission."
Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer, MDA.
MDA will provide spacecraft health monitoring and control, operational analysis, basic system maintenance, data order handling, image quality control and data processing and archiving for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM), SCISAT and NEOSSat from the CSA's Multi-Mission Control Centre in Longueuil, Quebec.
MDA has partnered with two leading Canadian space firms – Calian Advanced Technologies and Mission Control Space Services – to deliver this SatOps capability service.
The total estimated contract price is valued at $36.6 million (Canadian) excluding taxes and covers a three-year period, with an option to renew the contract for up to two additional years.
MDA was the Prime Contractor for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, Canada's third generation radar satellite system. Since its successful launch in June 2019 and commissioning later in 2019, MDA has been providing satellite operations services on this mission. This contract will extend MDA's key role in RCM operations, and expands MDA's leadership in satellite operations.
"In addition to continuing to build on our decades long partnership with the Canadian Space Agency, this project will extend our key role on the RADARSAT Constellation Mission," said Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer, MDA. "It also continues to expand our portfolio of active operational services contracts with recurring annual revenue streams."
SCISAT, launched in 2003, is an atmospheric research satellite that helps Canadian and international scientists improve their understanding of the depletion of the ozone layer, with a special emphasis on the changes occurring over Canada and in the Arctic.
Launched in 2013, NEOSSat (Near-Earth Object Surveillance Satellite) was the world's first space telescope dedicated to detecting and tracking asteroids and satellites.
Under a separate contract with Canada's Department of National Defence, MDA also operates Sapphire, Canada's surveillance of space satellite which shared a launch vehicle with NEOSSat, as well as MDA's own Earth observation satellite, RADARSAT-2.
(Source: MDA news release. Image courtesy MDA via Facebook)