SpaceQ Space news and analysis.
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) announced late yesterday that it signed a deal with Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) to supply the AMOS-6 satellite with its communications payload. The contract which is yet to be finalized, but for which MDA has been authorized to start work on, is valued in excess of $90 million.
Read More »RADARSAT Constellation Mission Future and Canadian Space Agency Budget Get MP’s Brief Attention
The future of Canada’s current big space project, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) and the Canadian Space Agency budget cut were the subject of questions in yesterday’s House of Commons Question Period. The questions were brought forward by Liberal MP Marc Garneau. Garneau is a former astronaut and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President and knows a thing or two about space.
Read More »Day 3 Highlights: Dextre Cleans up After a Job Well Done
On the third day of RRM operations, Dextre stowed the Multifunction tool and Wire-Cutting tool inside the RRM module for future operations. (Video: NASA/CSA).
Read More »Dextre makes the cut: Wire Cutting task is a resounding success! Part 2
Day 2 of the initial phase of the joint NASA-CSA Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) ended with a historic moment for Dextre, the Canadian-built robotic handyman on board the International Space Station (ISS). Dextre spent the better part of the day successfully releasing 7 launch locks that fastened 4 tool adapters (built by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center) inside the RRM module during their flight to …
Read More »Dextre makes the cut: Wire Cutting task is a resounding success!
After completing operations with the Multifunction Tool, Canadarm2 repositioned Dextre to cut the first of two wires, each about as thick as four sheets of paper. With surgical precision, and only about a millimetre of clearance, Dextre captured the wire in the Wire-Cutting Tool (1:14-1:32). The Canadian-built robotic handyman then cut the thin wire (1:44-2:03) that fastened a mock gas cap to the RRM module …
Read More »Day 2 Highlights of the Robotic Refueling Mission
The second day of Dextre’s most demanding mission wrapped up successfully on March 8 as the robotic handyman completed his three assigned tasks. Dextre successfully retrieved, inspected and stowed three of the four specialized tools built specifically for the Robotic Refueling Mission by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre.
Read More »Day 1 Highlights of the Robotic Refueling Mission
The first day of Dextre’s most demanding mission wrapped up successfully on March 7 as the robotic handyman completed his three assigned tasks. Dextre successfully retrieved, inspected and stowed three of the four specialized tools built specifically for the Robotic Refueling Mission by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre.
Read More »Canada's Dextre Robot Demonstrates Satellite Refuelling on the International Space Station
Canada’s robotics expertise is on display this week performing tasks never before attempted as part of a collaborative effort with NASA on the International Space Station (ISS).
Read More »MDA Signs Amendment for Space Station Work Through March 2013
On the heels that Canada has officially signaled its intent to use the International Space Station (ISS) through 2020, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has announced a contract amendment with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Read More »The Polar Communications and Weather Mission Can’t Come Soon Enough
The Canadian north’s need for reliable satellites was vividly illustrated in October 2011, when a software error aboard Telesat satellite Anik F2 caused it to malfunction.
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