Canadian Space Agency announces four-year contract with MDA to support Canada's contribution to the ISS (Forwarded)

Canadian Space Agency

May 9, 2008

Canadian Space Agency announces four-year contract with MDA to support
Canada's contribution to the International Space Station

Longueuil, Quebec -- The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, today announced a
four-year contract valued at $109 million between the Canadian Space Agency
(CSA) and MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA). MDA will continue
to provide logistics, sustaining engineering services for the Canadian-made
Mobile Servicing System on the International Space Station (ISS).

The Mobile Servicing System, a multi-faceted sophisticated robotics system,
is Canada's main contribution to the International Space Station and is
critical to its assembly, maintenance, and servicing. It consists of three
elements: Canadarm2, the Mobile Base System and Dextre. Canadarm2 and the
Mobile Base System were delivered and installed on the Station in 2001 and
2002 respectively. Dextre, a special purpose multi-functional robot, was
launched and installed on the Space Station in March 2008.

Under this contract, administered by Public Works and Government Services
Canada, MDA will continue to provide systems engineering, general technical
support, and software maintenance and enhancement, and to deliver spares
provisioning for Canadian robotic components orbiting on the International
Space Station. This will allow Canada to continue to meet its robotics
commitments to the International Space Station program.

About the Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) coordinates all civil,
space-related policies and programs on behalf of the Government of Canada.
CSA directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts: Earth
Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite Communications, and
Space Awareness and Learning. By leveraging international cooperation, the
CSA generates world-class scientific research and industrial development for
the benefit of humanity.

May 9, 2008 - Speech

* Minister's Speech
http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/ic1.nsf/en/01974e.html
* Video (Windows Media Player, 202 MB)

ftp://ftp.space.gc.ca/users/communic...entice_csa.wmv

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For more information please contact:

Bill Rodgers
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry
Telephone: 613-995-9001

Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: 450-926-4370