Creates world's largest high-volume
manufacturing facility in its satellite class and adds 600 new
high-skill technology jobs in Quebec
SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BELLEVUE, QC,
Sept. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ - MDA (TSX: MDA), a trusted mission
partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, today
announced that construction is underway on a 185,000 square foot
expansion at its satellite production facility in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec. Once
completed, it will be the world's largest high-volume manufacturing
facility in its satellite class, with capacity to deliver up to two
MDA AURORATM digital
satellites a day.
An initial order of 198 Telesat Lightspeed satellites, powered
by MDA AURORATM
technology, will be produced at the new facility, following
Telesat's selection of MDA as the prime satellite contractor
for the Telesat Lightspeed constellation. Telesat is the first of
multiple MDA satellite customers moving to next generation digital
constellations, as the market for space-based broadband networks
and direct-to-device connectivity expands.
As part of its expansion, the company is in the process of
adding 600 new high-skill technology jobs in Quebec to further accelerate its growth as the
global space economy is set to expand to US$1.8 trillion in the next decade.
The new facility is designed to be a LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) certified building. The production line
is expected to be operational in the second half of 2025.
"The global satellite market is at an inflection point as
satellite operators and customers shift to digital solutions like
MDA AURORATM that offer
greater performance and flexibility at a significantly lower cost.
Our strategic investments in expanding our satellite production
facility and team are ideally timed to solidify our market
leadership position and expand the export and growth opportunities
for the Canadian space industry in Quebec and across the country."
— Mike
Greenley, CEO, MDA
"Our government is focused on Canadians, and with Lightspeed,
Telesat and MDA are designing and manufacturing the largest space
program in Canadian history – creating thousands of jobs, growing
our economy, and getting high-speed internet to Canadians.
Together, we're putting Canada,
Canadian innovation and talent at the forefront of a new global
opportunity."
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
"This is good news for our economy. Not only are we
consolidating 650 existing jobs, but we are also creating close to
1,000 high-paying jobs in a cutting-edge sector. It is also a
strategic project for Québec. The message we are sending today with
the Telesat/MDA project is that Québec continues to make its mark.
The future of aerospace is happening right here in Québec!"
— François Legault, Premier of
Québec
"Canada is a global leader in
the new space economy. We're proud that Telesat's Lightspeed
LEO constellation will be built by MDA, right here in Canada. Government support for the space
sector will have a significant impact on the growing network of
Canadian suppliers and talent – bolstering Canada's leadership as the sector continues to
flourish."
— The Honourable
François-Philippe Champagne,
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"This satellite network is an effective way to provide
high-speed telecommunications across all regions of Quebec. We are proud to support these two
companies as they drive technological innovation, helping to
position Québec as a true space industry leader. And we are even
prouder to see that companies are locating here to take advantage
of all that Québec has to offer!"
— Christine Fréchette, Minister of
Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional
Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis
and the Montréal Region
"High-speed Internet is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity.
Today's investment in Telesat's Lightspeed project, with
industry-leading satellites built in Canada by MDA, will help the federal
government achieve its goal of connecting all Canadians, to
high-speed Internet by 2030 so that they get better access to the
services they need, no matter where they live."
— The Honourable Gudie Hutchings,
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for
the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
ABOUT MDA SPACE
Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space
(TSX:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global space
industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer
with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions,
MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth
and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure.
The MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK has the knowledge
and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an
achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of
experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that's been
in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push
boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for
the better, we'll take you there. For more information, visit
mda.space.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward–looking information within
the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects
the Company's current expectations regarding future events.
Forward–looking information is based on a number of assumptions and
is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which
are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results
and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or
implied by such forward–looking information. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors
discussed under "Risk Factors" in MDA's Annual Information Form
available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. MDA does not
undertake any obligation to update such forward–looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.
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SOURCE MDA Space