[Satellite Today – 5-9-08] Alliant Techsystems Inc.’s (ATK) bid to purchase MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)’s information systems and geospatial services businesses has been rejected by the Canadian government, ATK announced May 9.
    Canadian Investment Review officials informed ATK that the Canadian objection relates to potential extraterritorial application of U.S. export law. Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice rejected the company’s bid April 10, but ATK had 30 days to respond.
    Separately, MDA has been awarded a contract by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to provide logistics and engineering services for the Canadian-made Mobile Servicing System on the International Space Station, MDA announced May 9.
    The three-piece robotics system is Canada’s main contribution to the Station and is critical to its assembly, maintenance and servicing. Canadarm2 and the Mobile Base System were delivered and installed in 2001 and 2002, respectively, while Dextre, a special purpose multi-functional robot, was installed in March.
    The contract is valued at 109 million Canadian dollars ($108.6 million).