Grants and Contributions:

Title:
Feeder Link Ka-Band Phased Array Antenna
Agreement Number:
25STDPX26
Agreement Value:
$1,000,000.00
Agreement Date:
Aug 14, 2025 - Aug 30, 2027
Description:
The satellite market has recently shifted towards Low Earth Orbit constellations. These missions require feeder link antennas that offer a wide scan angle and are typically supported by reflector antennas. A shift towards phased array for feeder links is starting to emerge as this technology presents great advantages in terms of number of beams, speed of reconfigurability and interference mitigation capacities. The purpose of this project is to develop a feeder link Ka-Band phased array antenna with interference mitigation capabilities. This requires developing antenna architecture and concepts that integrate on-orbit calibration and develop interference mitigation algorithms. The expected outcome will be an antenna breadboard model to support the testing of calibration and interference mitigations algorithms. LEO constellations supported by these novel feed link antennas will ultimately provide broadband access to remote areas where it is not economically viable to develop traditional broadband services, helping to close the digital divide.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:

The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.

Location:
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, CA H9X 3R2
Reference Number:
003-2025-2026-Q2-00012
Agreement Type:
Contribution
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Type:
For-profit organization
Recipient's Legal Name:
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Corporation
Program:
STDP AO 9.1 Space R&D - Advanced Technologies
Program Purpose:

Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan is focused on three priority areas to spur innovation: People, Technologies, and Companies. Working with industry, the Government of Canada will encourage innovation by increasing its support for basic research and development (R&D) in space technology development. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is issuing this Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to support the development of Canadian industrial capabilities in the area of space technologies with the aim of increasing the commercial potential of Canadian space companies to capture global opportunities.

It is paramount that the Canadian space industry remains strong, healthy and relevant, and that it has the required readiness to respond to national demand and the necessary competitiveness to secure an increased share of commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Only through innovation and continued investments in R&D can Canada ensure that it has the industrial depth and breadth to remain a valued player in the international arena.

In light of the above, this AO concerning Space R&D – Advanced Technologies will award non-repayable contributions up to $1M per advanced space technology project that expect commercial potential in the short to medium term (i.e., two to five years).