MDA joins the OneWeb team

OneWeb and MDA – MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA”), a Canada-based global communications and information company, announced on October 2 that MDA has joined the OneWeb team. OneWeb is building over 900 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to enable affordable broadband access for emerging markets and rural areas. OneWeb’s communications network will enable access for people everywhere, by transparently extending the networks of mobile operators and ISP’s to serve new coverage areas. The initial production is planned for launch into Low Earth Orbit beginning in 2018.

Partnering with MDA will allow OneWeb to benefit from its world-class antenna and payload design and engineering expertise. MDA has proven high-volume manufacturing experience. Streamlining production, and the weight of the individual satellites are key components in making the OneWeb constellation a success.

Brian Holz, Vice President Space Systems, OneWeb, said, “MDA has deep experience in communication satellite payloads and the design of mass produced satellite components. We welcome their support of OneWeb’s mission to enable affordable Internet access for everyone with a constellation that will bring more the 10 Terabits per second of new capacity into hard-to-reach areas around the globe.”

Daniel Friedmann, MDA’s president and CEO, said, “MDA’s strategy is to become a key supplier for LEO satellite constellations in both Earth observation and communications and we recognize that OneWeb’s architecture, team, technology and skill sets are creating a whole new opportunity for satellites and global communications. Currently we are building an advanced Earth observation constellation, and we look forward to supporting this large and very innovative communications system.”

Source: MDA