Shares of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, MDA (TSE:MDA) were slightly lower today even as the company announced that it will design and supply new cameras to the International Space Station as part of a C$11 million contract from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
The Vancouver based robotics group, which also designed the ISS’s robotic maintenance system, said that the new cameras will improve illumination during critical operations as part of a mobile servicing system facilitating maintenance and capturing visiting spacecraft such as resupply vessels.
MDA could see more contracts from the CSA, a Montreal based federal program, as the Canadian government recently announced that it would send two new astronauts into space within the next decade. Indeed, Canada has renewed its participation in the International Space Station (ISS) until 2024.
The extension of Canada's participation in the ISS will be accompanied by additional financial support over four years starting in 2020.
The Government will also give MDA C$10.5 million to continue its technical support for the Canadarm2 robotic arm, the Dexter robot and the mobile base system on the ISS.
Canada is the third country to extend its commitment to the ISS, which is expected to operate until 2024, after the United States and Russia.
Astronauts Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques have been training for this mission after the CSA chose them in 2009.
The last Canadian in space, Hadfield commanded the space station during a mission five months in 2013.
Under its commitment, Canada will send a first astronaut into space by 2019 and one from 2024. Their selection will be based on mission needs to be discussed with the different partners of the ISS in the coming months.
Canada will also participate in "future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond," said a statement from the CSA.
Canada will also extend by two years its collaboration with NASA as part of the ‘Curiosity’ mission to Mars.