ARSAT SG1 Photo courtesy of ARSAT

MDA has won a new contract with one of Latin America’s biggest satellite operators. It will design, build and supply all of the Ka-band multibeam antennas for the ARSAT-SG1 satellite, the company announced Feb. 9. ARSAT is Argentina’s national telecoms company and ARSAT-SG1 will provide high-speed Internet as well as digital video and voice services across Argentina and to Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile. This is the first time that MDA and ARSAT have worked together. The Ka-band multibeam antennas will be delivered mid-2024.

ARSAT-SG1 is a high throughput full electric GEO satellite. The antennas will be built in MDA’s high volume production facility in Montreal. MDA technology has been integrated into more than 350 satellite missions to date, with more than 2,000 antenna subsystems and 3,000 electronic subsystems on approximately 850 satellites currently in orbit. The ARSAT contract was added to MDA’s backlog in Q4 2022.

“It is a privilege to work with ARSAT to build these antennas that will help bring enhanced digital connectivity to Argentina and neighbouring countries. This contract is another example of how MDA is leveraging its satellite systems technology and offerings to further expand our global footprint and customer base,” Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA, said in a statement.