Artist rendition of the MEASAT-3d satellite. Photo: Airbus

MDA will design and manufacture space-based L-band navigation antennas as part of a hosted payload on the MEASAT-3d satellite, which is currently being built by Airbus. The navigation antennas will be integrated on a hosted payload for South Korean KTSAT that will support the Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS). Scheduled for launch in 2021, the KASS navigation payload plans to deliver L-band regional civil navigation services over South Korea with the intention of enhancing aviation safety and airplane navigation capability.

“We appreciate the confidence that Airbus has in MDA’s innovative satellite technologies, having worked on over 30 programs,” Mike Greenley, group president of MDA said. “We look forward to continuing our close, collaborative relationship with Airbus on this contract.”

In addition, the Canadian Space Agency has awarded MDA a contract to execute the system design phase of WildFireSat (WFS), a forest fire monitoring satellite. The WFS mission intends to provide a space-based capability to increase Canada’s ability to monitor wildfires across the country, with near real-time information, emission measurement, and improved smoke and air quality forecasting.