08:19 AM EDT, 08/01/2025 (MT Newswires) -- EchoStar ( SATS ) said Friday it selected MDA Space to serve as prime contractor for its new, low Earth orbit direct-to-device satellite constellation.

EchoStar ( SATS ) said an initial contract is valued at $1.3 billion, which includes design, manufacturing and testing of over 100 MDA Aurora satellites, and that the total value of the contract could increase to $2.5 billion with contract options.

Under the contract, MDA Space is slated to commence volume manufacturing of a 5G compliant non-terrestrial network using low Earth orbit satellites, EchoStar ( SATS ) said.

The company said delivery of the satellites is expected for 2028 with commercial service to start in 2029.