MDA Ltd., a leading provider of advanced technology and services in the space industry, has revealed its new software-defined digital satellite product line at the World Satellite Business Week conference. This development is crucial as the industry transitions from analog to digital software-defined satellites. The shift from analog to digital satellite solutions offers significant benefits to satellite operators by improving performance while reducing time, cost, and complexity in their LEO constellation networks.
Telesat, the operator’s revolutionary LEO constellation, has chosen MDA as the prime satellite contractor for Telesat Lightspeed. MDA is developing a fully integrated portfolio of modular digital products and components for space-based communication solutions, with Telesat as its anchor customer. The aim is to drive industry transformation by transitioning from analog to digital programs, products, and high-volume manufacturing.
To meet the increasing demand for digital satellite technologies, MDA is launching a new software-defined digital satellite product line. This line includes a range of modular digital products and components for space-based communication solutions, and it has the capacity to produce two satellites per day through advanced high-volume manufacturing. These advancements will dramatically reduce production costs and schedules.
Key features of MDA’s software-defined satellite product portfolio include standardized and modular software-defined satellites, a scalable on-board processor with a built-in software-defined packet router, a family of digital beamforming-enabled arrays, and an innovative constellation software suite.
Research firm NSR predicts that there will be a rise in software-defined satellite (SDS) orders over the next decade, with approximately 26,000 partially or fully flexible SDS satellites expected to be ordered. The satellite manufacturing and launch industry is adapting to accommodate this trend for high-volume production, lower costs, and standardized offerings.
MDA continues to lead the way in space missions, robotics, and satellite systems, with a track record of pushing boundaries and inspiring solutions that change the world. With this new product line, MDA is at the forefront of the transition to digital satellite technology, providing operators and manufacturers with critical solutions to enhance performance, reduce costs, and accelerate time to market.