MDA-Developed Columbus Ka-Band Terminal (COLKa) Starts Journey to the International Space Station
February 15 2020 - 4:19PM
Business Wire
MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), today
announced that technology developed by its UK division in
partnership with the UK Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency
has begun its journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The
European Space Agency (ESA)’s Columbus Ka-Band Terminal (COLKa) was
launched today aboard the NG-13 Commercial Resupply Mission to the
ISS.
The MDA-built terminal will complement existing communication
systems on board the ISS and utilise the European Data Relay
Satellite (EDRS). Operating in the Ka-band, COLKa will enable
dramatically higher communications bandwidth between ESA’s Columbus
laboratory module on the ISS and ground stations and will provide
ESA with an independent connection for faster delivery of
scientific data and high-definition video. As a result, UK and
European scientists and researchers will be able to see results of
their ISS science experiments almost instantaneously.
COLKa was designed, developed and integrated by MDA Space and
Robotics Limited in the UK, using funding provided by the UK Space
Agency through the ESA Human Spaceflight program, the Canadian
Space Agency through its cooperation agreement with the ESA,
through the ESA ARTES program as well as through internal
investment. MDA was supported on the project by Kongsberg Defence
and Aerospace and Antwerp Space, both of which made significant
contributions to the development of key subsystems.
“This is the first major industrial contribution from the UK to
the ISS, and it will revolutionise the ability of scientists in the
UK and Europe to access the results of their experiments,” said Dr
Graham Turnock, CEO of the UK Space Agency. “This is yet another
example of the UK economy benefiting, through investment, jobs and
new skills, from our continued collaboration with the European
Space Agency.”
“The COLKa program has firmly established MDA in the UK as a
leading provider of high-quality space equipment, positioning us
for continued business growth and new jobs in both communications
and space sensor markets,” said David Kenyon, Managing Director of
MDA Space and Robotics Limited in the UK.
Two astronauts will carry out a spacewalk later this year to
mount COLKa to the outside of the Columbus module on the ISS.
About Maxar Technologies
Maxar is a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence
and Space Infrastructure. We deliver disruptive value to government
and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand and
navigate our changing planet; deliver global broadband
communications; and explore and advance the use of space. Our
unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and
a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and
deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale and cost
effectiveness. Maxar’s 5,800 team members in 30 global locations
are inspired to harness the potential of space to help our
customers create a better world. Maxar trades on the New York Stock
Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information,
visit www.maxar.com.
About MDA
MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics,
space sensors, satellite payloads, antennas and subsystems,
surveillance and intelligence systems, defense and maritime
systems, and geospatial radar imagery. MDA's extensive space
expertise and heritage translates into mission-critical defence and
commercial applications that include multi-platform command,
control and surveillance systems, aeronautical information systems,
land administration systems and terrestrial robotics. MDA is also a
leading supplier of actionable mission-critical information and
insights derived from multiple data sources. Founded in 1969, MDA
is recognized as one of Canada's most successful technology
ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal,
Halifax and the United Kingdom. For more information visit
www.mdacorporation.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200215005026/en/
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Swartman MDA Media Contact, 1-613-736-6917,
leslie.swartman@mdacorporation.com
Jason Gursky Maxar Investor Relations, 1-303-684-2207,
jason.gursky@maxar.com
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