As MDA works through the design phases of Canadarm3, a newly announced Space Robotics Centre of Excellence will accompany the work of the next-generation robotic space arm.
MDA announced late last week it would create a “purpose-built global headquarters”, just days after the next phase of the design contract – a nearly $270 million award from the Canadian Space Agency – came through to the Brampton, Ont.-based company.
The two contracts appear to be very closely integrated at MDA, as the robotics centre “will enable our teams to design, build, test, and operate robotic systems for space,” according to Holly Johnson, MDA’s vice-president of operations.
Johnson noted that it is an exciting time to be at MDA as the company is on a “growth journey” and eager to hire new talent, as a result. The building project received $25 million in support from the Province of Ontario, which stated the money will “strengthen the province’s position as the home of Canada’s space industry.”
“It will be where we develop and deliver Canadarm3 and a new suite of commercial space robotics products,” Johnson told SpaceQ, of the new facility.
MDA is well-known for its suite of robotics in space, including Canadarm, Canadarm2 and the Dextre handy robot on the International Space Station. It also manages the RADARSAT series of satellites that observe changes on Earth, most recently including the RADARSAT Constellation and a multi-sensor Earth observation constellation under development called CHORUS.
Canadarm3 is the keystone of Canada’s future participation in human spaceflight. It is our country’s major contribution to the Gateway lunar space station that NASA is planning, to support future Artemis moon missions.
Due to Canada’s contribution with Canadarm3, as explained when the project was announced in 2019, our country will maintain its share of research and human spaceflight opportunities aboard NASA missions.
Crewed opportunities most notably include a seat on the planned Artemis 2 mission that will circle the Moon no earlier than 2024, although other seats are forthcoming in both the ISS and Artemis programs. Canada has four astronauts that may be eligible for opportunities, although no individuals have been disclosed yet for these flights.
As a new headquarters, MDA plans this as a showcase facility for anyone who happens to visit: not only partners and students, but also guests and people of the community, Johnson noted. The old headquarters on Airport Road will be released when the time comes, although Johnson said there is nostalgia associated with the milestone as the company has been there for so many years.
The City of Brampton stated it is appreciative of MDA’s continued presence. “MDA has been in Brampton for more than 50 years, and will be joining industry leading corporate neighbours including Medtronic, Canon, Air Canada, Loblaw and the Kaneff Group at its new site,” the city stated.
Around 700 MDA team members across robotics and corporate will be regular users of the facility, Johnson noted, “which is fantastic as we’re planning to hire hundreds of new engineers and support staff this year in order to staff up for the Canadarm3 program.” (For perspective, MDA currently has roughly 2,400 employees across all sites, with 670 team members in robotics and corporate groups in Brampton.)
Within the 200,000-square foot building will be modern office space for the engineering teams along with state-of-the-art lab facilities for manufacturing, assembling and testing robotic elements, Johnson said. The facility will also have an integrated mission control centre that “will allow us to operate our robotic systems in-orbit or on other planets – right from our building.”
The project is also supported by the City of Brampton Economic Development Office, as well as Kaneff Group, a Brampton-based development, construction and property management company.
The Space Robotics Centre of Excellence is already under construction and it is anticipated the lab will be operational by the end of this year. MDA’s new HQ is expected to be ready in 2023.