Airbus has been selected by MDA Space Ltd. (TSX), a key player in advanced technology for the growing global space industry, to provide solar arrays for the MDA AURORATM satellite product line. This software-defined satellite system will enable enhanced communication networks across the globe.
The contract includes the delivery of more than 200 Sparkwing solar arrays, which will be produced at Airbus’ high-capacity facility in Leiden, Netherlands. These solar arrays represent the largest Sparkwing design to date, featuring two wings with five panels each and offering a photovoltaic area exceeding 30 square meters. The supply chain will support MDA’s anchor customer, Telesat, in its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Lightspeed satellite constellation, aimed at delivering enterprise-class connectivity worldwide.
“We are thrilled to partner with MDA Space in supplying solar arrays for the Telesat Lightspeed project,” said Rob Postma, Managing Director of Airbus in the Netherlands. “Our industrialized Sparkwing solar arrays are designed for optimal performance in space and tailored to meet the needs of this groundbreaking constellation.”
The MDA AURORATM product line is designed to adapt to the evolving technical and business demands of the satellite industry, offering operators increased flexibility and improved performance while reducing costs and time to market.
Sparkwing is recognized as the first commercially available off-the-shelf solar array for small satellites, optimized for power levels ranging from 100W to 2000W for LEO missions. It provides options for over thirty panel sizes, configurable into deployable wings, and is designed for minimal integration effort by the customer. Originally developed by Airbus in collaboration with the Netherlands Space Office and ESA, Sparkwing’s capabilities have expanded to accommodate higher power requirements and larger panel configurations.
MDA Space (TSX) stands as a trusted partner in the global space sector, boasting over 55 years of experience and more than 450 missions. The company excels in communications satellites, Earth observation, and space exploration, backed by a team of over 3,000 experts across Canada, the US, and the UK. MDA Space is committed to turning ambitious customer visions into achievable missions, blending engineering expertise with a pioneering spirit.
