08:41 AM EDT, 06/27/2024 (MT Newswires) -- MDA Space ( MDALF ) on Thursday said it has been awarded $1 billion from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the next phases of the Canadarm3 program. The advanced space robotics system will be used aboard Gateway, a multinational collaboration led by NASA to establish a space station in lunar orbit to support human and robotic missions to the surface of the Moon.

The contract includes funding for Phase C (final design) and Phase D (construction, system assembly, integration and test) of the full robotics system. MDA Space ( MDALF ) will support commissioning of the Canadarm3 robotics system once in orbit from the company's new mission control facility at its global headquarters in Brampton, Ontario. The contract will also include planning and personnel training in preparation for on-orbit mission operations.

MDA is also introducing a suite of commercial space robotics, MDA SKYMAKER, to provide customers with flight-proven space robotics solutions and services and this $1 billion contract is key in developing its commercial technologies to serve emerging markets including commercial space stations, lunar surface rovers and landers, and satellite servicing in all orbits, the company said. "With commercialization being an important goal of the Canadarm3 program, MDA Space ( MDALF ) is already gaining traction in the rapidly-growing commercial space market," it added.