CSA Awards MDA Space $1 billion for Canadarm3 Program

Ibadan, 1 July 2024. – The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded MDA Space Ltd. $1 billion for the next phases of the Canadarm3 program. Canadarm3 will go aboard Gateway, a NASA-led multinational collaboration to establish a space station in lunar orbit to support human and robotic missions to the surface of the Moon – a key element of the Artemis program.

The contract includes funding for Phase C (final design) and Phase D (construction, system assembly, integration and test) of the full robotics system, comprising a large arm, a smaller dexterous arm, specialized tools for performing maintenance and science tasks, as well as a ground segment for command and control. MDA Space will consequently support commissioning the robotics system in orbit from its new mission control facility. The contract will also include planning and personnel training in preparation for on-orbit mission operations.

Phases C and D of the contract will involve over 200 Canadian companies in the MDA Space supply chain, supporting job creation, skills development and economic and export opportunities for the Canadian space industry. For MDA Space, the contract is a key milestone in continuing the development of its commercial technologies to serve emerging markets such as commercial space stations, lunar surface rovers and landers, satellite servicing in all orbits, and in-space assembly and manufacturing

Speaking on the contract, Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer of MDA Space, said, “We are entering an exciting period where Canadarm3 will take shape and come to life on our production floor. This critical investment in Canadarm3 reinforces and expands our national and industry leadership as a new era of space opens up. This major milestone also reflects our strategy in action as we build our significant backlog and bring to market a new generation of commercial space products and services.”