MDA SPACE Opens High Volume Satellite Facility to Feed Spaceport Nova Scotia(MLS)
The new facility is a critical piece of a larger strategic partnership between MDA Space and Maritime Launch Services (MLS) aimed at building a complete, domestic "ground-to-orbit" space supply chain for Canada. [1, 2]
While the Montréal facility focuses on manufacturing satellites, its operations are tied to Spaceport Nova Scotia through the following connections: [3]
- Strategic Investment: In November 2025, MDA Space made a $10 million equity investment in Maritime Launch Services to accelerate the construction of Spaceport Nova Scotia.
- Operational Partnership: MDA Space is an "operational partner" at the Nova Scotia site. This means the satellites built at the new Montréal plant—specifically the MDA AURORA™ line—can eventually be launched from Canadian soil rather than relying on foreign launch sites.
- Sovereign Launch Capability: The goal of this collaboration is to ensure that Canadian-made satellites (from Montréal) can be integrated and launched by a Canadian company (MLS) at a Canadian facility (Spaceport Nova Scotia), which is particularly important for national defence and security missions.
- Board Representation: As part of the deal, MDA Space has the right to nominate a member to the Maritime Launch Board of Directors, further aligning the two companies' manufacturing and launch strategies.