The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) awarded an additional Cdn. 6 million ($5.1 million) contract to MacDonald Dettwiler (MDA) to complete a weather station for a NASA Mars mission scheduled for launch in 2007, the two organizations announced Oct. 27.

MDA Space Missions is building a meteorological station for the mission, which will include instruments to measure pressure and temperature and assess climate patterns in Mars’ northern plains. Optech Inc. is providing lidar expertise as a subcontractor to MDA. The lidar instrument will analyze clouds, fog, and dust plumes in the lower atmosphere.

Phoenix will study climate at the red planet’s northern latitudes, the geological history of water, and the potential of the soil to support life.

The latest award brings the total value of the work for MDA to Cdn. 19.5 million ($16.7 million).