MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA" or the "Company") (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has received a contract for CA$15.8 million from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the preliminary design of an advanced technology solution for NASA's New Frontiers Program—OSIRIS-REx, the next planetary science mission to another celestial body in our solar system. Total contract value for initial phases received to-date are valued at $19 million.
NASA plans to launch a spacecraft in 2016 to study and return an asteroid sample to Earth in 2023. As the spacecraft comes within seven kilometers of the asteroid, MDA's solution will be used to perform comprehensive surface mapping operations that provide topographical maps that will assist in navigating the spacecraft towards the asteroid and identifying potential sample acquisition sites.
This contract builds on MDA's heritage of flight-proven science instruments that have contributed to helping to revolutionize our understanding of the early Solar system, planet formation and the origin of life. MDA announced in June 2010 it was on candidate teams selected by NASA to conduct initial studies for a deep space exploration mission.
The CSA is supporting a Canadian Science team and the development of the science instrument for the Mission.
MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.
MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.
MDA's well-established global customer base is served by more than 4,500 employees operating from 11 offices located in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
The Company's common shares trade under the symbol TSX:MDA.