MDA Space Ltd. inaugurated its new high-volume satellite manufacturing facility in Montréal, marking a defining milestone in the company's growth as a satellite prime contractor. The 185,000-square-foot expansion was completed in under two years--from groundbreaking to operational clean rooms. One of the world's largest and most advanced satellite manufacturing facilities in its class, the new facility doubles the company's manufacturing floor space, providing MDA Space the capacity and capability to meet the growing global demand for advanced satellite constellations. The facility is specially designed to simultaneously and continuously assemble, integrate and test multiple MDA AURORATM satellites, the company's flagship line of digital satellite products.
Augmented reality and automated equipment aid technicians with repetitive tasks, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency to enable the delivery of satellites at speed and scale. In addition, MDA Space has developed a proprietary test chamber and has integrated advanced technology that reduce validation time and enhance quality assurance processes. Beyond this expansion, the facility represents a fundamental shift in how MDA Space operates.
New engineering and manufacturing processes, as well as performance data collection mechanisms, have been established to maximize efficiency and agility, building the operational foundation required to take on and deliver constellation programs and up to 400 satellites per year. Technologically advanced, the facility is also designed to meet LEED standard certification, with features that include a green roof, rainwater collection system and solar panels that will generate 78,000 kWh of energy annually.
