MDA
- Company typePublic
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersBrampton, Canada
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
MDA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MDA
- Legal name
- MDA Ltd.
- Website
- https://mdacorporation.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where MDA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brampton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MDA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Satellite Systems: Design and manufacture of satellite systems including communications satellites and LEO constellation components. Revenue of $313M in Q1 2026 representing the largest business segment.
- Robotics & Space Operations: Space robotics systems and operations including robotic arms and space infrastructure solutions. Revenue of $92M in Q1 2026.
- Geointelligence: Earth observation and geointelligence services including satellite imagery and space situational awareness. Revenue of $59M in Q1 2026.
- Defence Communications: Next-generation defence communications satellite programs including contracts with Mitsubishi Electric for defence communications satellite program.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
MDA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MDA Space designs, manufactures, and operates space hardware and related data services for the global defence and space industry. Its core deliverables are communications satellites (including LEO constellation payloads), space-qualified robotics and mission operations, and geointelligence/earth observation services. The company serves as a turnkey mission partner, taking customers from audacious concept through design, build, and on-orbit operations across 450+ completed missions over a 55+ year history.
Product overview
MDA Space operates as a unified platform with three core business segments: Satellite Systems (communications satellites, generating $313M Q1 2026), Robotics & Space Operations ($92M Q1 2026), and Geointelligence ($59M Q1 2026). The portfolio includes specialized products like the MDA MIDNIGHT spacecraft platform and JoeySat reconfigurable satellite network, supported by the 49North Canadian defence business unit and the acquired Blue Canyon Technologies small satellite manufacturer. With over 4,000 space experts and 55+ years of experience across 450+ missions, MDA serves as a trusted mission partner for global defence and space industry customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MDA MIDNIGHT: Spacecraft platform announced as strategic initiative
Products and services
- Satellite Systems Communications satellites and related satellite systems, including LEO constellation payloads and next-generation defence communications satellites (e.g., the Mitsubishi Electric defence communications satellite program). Generated $313M in Q1 2026 revenue and is MDA's largest business segment.
- Robotics & Space Operations
- Geointelligence
- MDA MIDNIGHT Spacecraft Platform Next-generation spacecraft platform announced by MDA as a strategic initiative for satellite systems expansion and advanced space missions. Designed as a foundational platform for future MDA satellite programs.
- JoeySat Reconfigurable satellite network platform demonstrating advanced phased array and beamforming technology for flexible satellite communications. Successfully demonstrated on-orbit in 2025.
Quantifiable outcome
- 32% YoY revenue growth to $464M in Q1 2026
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use MDA
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MDA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MDA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.
- Starlab Consortium (Airbus, Voyager, Mitsubishi, Space Applications Services, Palantir)coreMDA Space is part of the Starlab consortium backing the commercial space station program to replace the International Space Station. The consortium includes Voyager, Airbus, MDA, Mitsubishi, Space Applications Services, and Palantir. Starlab is positioned as essential infrastructure for the commercial space economy with pressurized volume equivalent to ISS in a single launch.
- Mitsubishi ElectricmajorMDA Space was selected by Mitsubishi Electric for their next-generation defence communications satellite program, demonstrating MDA's capabilities in defence-grade satellite communications systems.
- Globalstar Inc.majorMDA received an approximately $1.1 billion award from Globalstar for its next-generation LEO constellation. Globalstar will allocate 85% of network capacity to a major customer (Apple) as part of the expanded satellite capabilities.
- SatixFy Space Systems UK Ltd.strategicMDA acquired SatixFy Space Systems UK Ltd. in August 2023 to strengthen its UK market position and add in-country space satellite payload manufacturing capabilities.
- Blue Canyon Technologies LLCstrategicMDA announced a definitive agreement to acquire US-based Blue Canyon Technologies LLC, expanding its satellite systems capabilities in the US market.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MDA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin Space: Lockheed Martin Space is a dominant U.S. defense prime with a broad space portfolio spanning satellites, space exploration, and strategic systems. Comparable to MDA as a large incumbent in defense and government satellite manufacturing, though far larger and more diversified.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris provides satellite communications payloads, space electronics, and missile tracking systems. Comparable to MDA as a defense/space systems supplier with payload and satellite communications overlap.
- Airbus Defence and Space: Airbus Defence and Space builds communications satellites, Earth observation platforms, and is a partner in Starlab and multiple ESA programs. Comparable to MDA as a European incumbent with overlapping satellite manufacturing and commercial space station activity.
- RTX (Raytheon) Space & Defense: RTX's Collins Aerospace and Raytheon units supply space electronics, satellite payloads, and missile warning systems. Comparable to MDA on the space electronics and payload side of defense satellite programs.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell Aerospace supplies space-qualified electronics, guidance and navigation components, and satellite subsystems. Comparable to MDA on the avionics, guidance, and satellite component side of the space value chain.
- Boeing Defence, Space & Security: Boeing Defence & Space builds GEO communications satellites, space stations, and missile defense platforms. Comparable to MDA across satellite manufacturing and space infrastructure, though at significantly larger scale.
- Northrop Grumman Space Systems: Northrop Grumman's Space Systems segment builds large GEO communications satellites, weather and science platforms, and missile defense space systems. Directly comparable to MDA's satellite systems business as an incumbent prime competing for similar defense and government payloads.
Emerging players
- Sierra Space: Sierra Space is building the Dream Chaser spaceplane and commercial LEO destinations as part of the Orbital Reef station program. Comparable to MDA as a competitor in the commercial space station and space infrastructure market.
Direct peers
- Terran Orbital: Terran Orbital designs and manufactures small satellites and provides mission services for defense and commercial customers. Comparable to MDA's smallsat strategy (Blue Canyon) and adjacent to its broader satellite systems business as an emerging small-sat prime.
- Thales Alenia Space: Thales Alenia Space is a major manufacturer of communications and Earth observation satellites and a contributor to commercial space station programs. Closely matches MDA's satellite manufacturing, EO, and space infrastructure offerings, and is a partner-competitor via the Starlab consortium.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MDA social profiles
Digital presenceMDA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MDA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MDA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
MDA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MDA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MDA
What does MDA do?
MDA Space designs, manufactures, and operates space hardware and related data services for the global defence and space industry. Its core deliverables are communications satellites (including LEO constellation payloads), space-qualified robotics and mission operations, and geointelligence/earth observation services. The company serves as a turnkey mission partner, taking customers from audacious concept through design, build, and on-orbit operations across 450+ completed missions over a 55+ year history.
Is MDA a public or private company?
MDA is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was MDA founded?
MDA was founded in 1969. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is MDA based?
MDA is headquartered in Brampton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does MDA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Satellite Systems are the primary driver. The others are robotics & Space Operations, geointelligence and defence Communications.
Who are MDA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lockheed Martin Space, L3Harris Technologies, Airbus Defence and Space, RTX (Raytheon) Space & Defense, Honeywell Aerospace, Boeing Defence, Space & Security and Northrop Grumman Space Systems. Sierra Space is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Terran Orbital and Thales Alenia Space.
Does MDA have an API?
No public API is recorded for MDA.