Photo: MDA Space

MDA Space signed a $1.1 billion Canadian dollar ($768 million) contract with Globalstar to be the prime contractor for the operator’s next generation Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, MDA Space announced Feb. 10.

MDA Space will manufacture more than 50 MDA Aurora software-defined digital satellites for Globalstar. This announcement comes after Apple announced an investment of $1.5 billion in Globalstar in late 2024 to fund an additional new constellation for expanded satellite direct-to-cell services.

This news means that Globalstar is MDA Space’s previously undisclosed customer for the initial contract announced in November 2023. The initial contract was worth $180 million.

“We are pleased to once again be working with Globalstar as they develop their next generation LEO constellation,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. “With the full contract now in place, we are moving full speed ahead on the program.”

MDA Space is already building a 17-satellite constellation refresh for Globalstar, contracted in February 2022. The satellites are expected to launch by the end of 2025.