MDA Space announced that it has been awarded a $688 million contract by the Canadian Space Agency to supply an advanced synthetic aperture radar satellite.
The new satellite will operate with the RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites and is intended to support Canada’s sovereign Earth observation capabilities. Under the contract, MDA Space will design, build, test, launch, and commission the next-generation satellite.
The contract also includes launch services and enhancements to satellite ground control, security, and data management systems. It follows an initial $44.7 million contract awarded in December 2025 for the procurement and delivery of long-lead parts.
The new satellite is a follow-on order to the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, which was built and launched by MDA Space in 2019. It will be based on MDA CHORUS, the company’s fourth generation of Earth observation technology.
MDA CHORUS is currently in its final integration phase and is expected to launch late this year. The system is designed to provide day-night, all-weather broad surveillance area data around the world, supporting critical services for Canadians.
The replenishment satellite is part of the Government of Canada’s RADARSAT+ portfolio of activities, which was announced in October 2023. The portfolio is intended to ensure continuity of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission and strengthen Canada’s sovereign Earth observation capabilities.
Earth observation data supports a range of government and public-interest use cases, including maritime safety, Arctic surveillance, natural disaster response, and environmental monitoring.
The satellite will be assembled, integrated, and tested at MDA Space’s facility in Montréal. The contract will be added to MDA Space’s backlog in the second quarter of fiscal 2026.
MDA Space is a mission partner to the global space industry, providing technology and services across satellite systems, robotics, space sensors, and related space infrastructure.
KEY QUOTES:
“Every day, Canada and Canadians rely on critical Earth observation technology and data to improve maritime safety, surveil the Arctic, respond to natural disasters and monitor the environment. By leveraging our significant commercial investments in MDA CHORUS, Canadians will benefit from world leading technologies developed right here in Canada to meet those vital needs.”
Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space
