MDA Space adds space situational awareness to Dept. of Defence

MDA Space has been selected to provide enhanced space situation awareness services to Canada's Department of National Defence in partnership with ThothX Group.

The standing offer, awarded to MDA Space alongside Canadian-based ThothX, highlights the increasing significance of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) for the protection of Canada's space infrastructure due to the growing complexity and congestion in Earth's orbital environment.

The contract is underscored by heightened risks associated with space operations. More than 19,000 satellites have been launched to date and over 30,000 distinct objects are currently tracked in Earth's orbit. Canada's space-based systems, crucial for communications, navigation, and meteorology, increasingly face dangers from orbital debris and the possibility of collisions.

The latest SDA commercial service will draw from MDA Space's domain expertise, including operational experience with Sapphire, Canada's first military satellite. Sapphire, also produced and maintained by MDA Space, operates as a key space-based sensor within the United States Space Surveillance Network, and continues to be operated on behalf of the Department of National Defence.

"Together MDA Space and ThothX are pioneering deep space radar technologies that track spacecraft and debris in geostationary orbit," said Brendan Quine, CEO and CTO of ThothX Group. "Our combined solution gives operators and regulators the perspective and confidence they need to ensure the safe and sustainable use of space. This mission extends the boundary of space domain awareness that provides reliable and critical insight and awareness."

Space domain awareness

The scope of the agreement involves leveraging MDA Space's track record in space mission support, along with ThothX Group's Earthfence Radar Capability offerings. The new solution will integrate high-fidelity sensor data within a secure, cloud-based infrastructure, specifically optimised for monitoring satellites and other space objects in the geosynchronous belt, which lies about 36,000 kilometres above the Earth's surface.

ThothX's Earthfence Radar solution, supported by globally located antennas and operating in various environmental conditions, aims to ensure resilient and reliable coverage. Both companies emphasise that the secure management and high-quality data provided are expected to support safer and more sustainable use of near-Earth and geostationary space environments under Canadian and international regulatory oversight.

In a statement, Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer of MDA Space, said, "Our heritage and expertise in Space Domain Awareness is built on decades of operational excellence, innovation, and trusted partnership with Canada's defence community. As threats in orbit continue to grow, MDA Space remains committed to delivering the mission-critical insight needed to navigate an increasingly complex space environment."

According to MDA Space, the Earthfence Radar Capability provided by Thoth Technologies contributes to comprehensive coverage and timely acquisition of satellite data. This, combined with MDA Space's experience in secure data management and operational service delivery, aims to establish a distinctive service in the global commercial SDA market.