Toronto, October 30th / PRNewswire / -- MDA Space Ltd. ( TSX : MDA ) ( NYSE : MDA ) indicates that the company has reached an agreement with Thales Alenia Space to begin providing MDA AURORA broadband digital phased array antennas and digital antenna controllers for 66 “Layer 1” IRIS² satellites. Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (holding 67% of the shares) and Leonardo (holding 33% of the shares).
IRIS ² ( Infrastructure for Resilience , Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite ) is the EU's Secure Connectivity Programme and will become a new benchmark for Europe's autonomous and sovereign space capabilities. This authorization promotion agreement ( ATP ) is worth over 100 million US dollars.
MDA Space indicates that, with its digital beamforming capabilities and performance, the MDA AURORA direct radiation array ( DRA ) will become a key driving factor in this strategic project.
"For the first batch of Layer 1 and IRIS 2 satellites, signing this ATP and providing them with critical digital antenna subsystems, with a launch planned for 2029, is a milestone moment for both MDA Space and our MDA AURORA technologies," said MDA Space's Chief Executive Officer Mike Greenley. "This key role reflects the trust that Thales Alenia Space and the European Commission have in our capabilities, believing that we can provide fast, interoperable connections to meet the requirements of the Layer 1 satellites."
MDA Space indicates that the company has accumulated mature experience in high-performance satellite payloads over the decades and has also delivered critical SATCOM technologies to private sectors and governments around the world. This commission has also increased the company's reserves for national sovereignty projects.
According to MDA Space, the MDA AURORA system and its related subsystems are designed for mass production, and the design, manufacturing, and testing are all completed in the company's advanced factory located in Montreal.
The company stated that this IRIS ² ATP contract will be counted as part of the order backlog for the fourth quarter of the MDA Space 2026 fiscal year. The final contract for the complete scope of work MDA Space still depends on the final confirmation of the contract terms.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking information as defined by applicable securities regulations, which reflects the company's current expectations regarding future events. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: whether further contracts will be signed regarding the work related to ATP, the ability of MDA Space to deliver goods, their performance and functionality, and their capacity to meet the needs of end-users, the conversion of backlogged orders into actual revenue, as well as the awarding of subsequent work related to IRIS and the constellation ².
Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by MDA Space based on management experience, judgment of historical trends, current conditions, expected future development, and other factors deemed appropriate. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of MDA Space to differ significantly from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The reasons for such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties detailed in the "Risk Factors" section of MDA Space's annual information report dated March 4, 2026.
Although MDA Space believes that the assumptions on which these statements are based are reasonable, these assumptions may not be correct, and there is no guarantee that actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements. There are many other risks and uncertainties that could affect or may affect MDA Space, which could lead to significant differences between actual results and progress and what is described, stated, or implied in these forward-looking statements. Therefore, readers should not rely too heavily on any forward-looking statements or information contained in this press release. These forward-looking statements are only valid as of the date of issuance of this press release. Except as required by law, MDA Space has no obligation, and explicitly denies the intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements due to new information, future events, or other reasons.
About MDA Space
MDA Space ( TSX : MDA ) ( NYSE : MDA ) indicates that the company is committed to building a "space" between what has been verified and what is potentially achievable. As a pioneer in the fields of robotics, satellite systems, and geospatial intelligence, MDA Space boasts over 55 years of innovation history and more than 450 mission experiences, making it a global leader in communication satellites, Earth and space observation, as well as space exploration and infrastructure. The MDA Space global team consists of over 4,000 aerospace experts who possess the knowledge and capability to transform bold customer visions into executable missions, combining unique experience, engineering excellence, and a spirit of exploration. For more information, please visit mda.space.
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