Canadian Space Agency Extends Robotics Contract with MDA

The MDA-built Canadarm2 and Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft. Photo: NASA

[Via Satellite 04-03-2015] The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) signed a contract amendment for on-going support of the International Space Station’s (ISS) mobile servicing system. The amendment provides approximately $9.6 million and expands on a December 2014 amendment for roughly $14.2 million to support the robotic system until March 2016.

The Mobile Servicing System is comprised of three robotics structures: Canadarm2, the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator “Dextre” and the Mobile Base System. They perform functions such as resupply, maintenance, and servicing in support of the station. MDA’s expertise in building space robotics is being leveraged in Lockheed Martin’s Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) bid, which could employ similar technology for in-orbit servicing. Sierra Nevada Corporation is also developing robotic arms for its Dream Chaser to perform tasks such as in-orbit servicing and active debris removal.