Title:
Lightweight mechanisms for large deployable structures | Solar Arrays
Agreement Number:
25STDPX25
Agreement Value:
$1,000,000.00
Agreement Date:
Aug 12, 2025 - Feb 28, 2027
Description:
With the advancement of Low-Earth Orbit Constellation missions and a higher focus towards more New Space/demonstration type missions, we believe at MDA Space that there is a real need and advantage to decrease the costs and mass of traditional solar array assemblies. To develop this technology in Canada reduces the reliance of the Canadian space sector towards American and European solar array providers. Furthermore, it would create more work on this side of the border, it would increase MDA Space’s competitiveness on the global space industry market, and it has the potential to help enable missions that weren’t closing within certain budget constraints by improving by a significant margin one of the biggest cost centers on a numerical satellite such as MDA AURORA™. More specifically, the proposed research and development work would increase the technology readiness level of a lightweight solar array comprised of a flexible substrate onto which the solar cells/modules are bonded or encapsulated, and a deployment mechanism of the type of pantograph with simple pivots and a simple cost actuator, which get validated through various breadboards and a representative prototype that undergoes environmental testing.
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-Q2-00011
Agreement Type:
Contribution
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Type:
For-profit organization
Additional Information:
STDP AO 9.1 Space R&D - Advanced Technologies
Recipient's Legal Name:
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Corporation
Program:
Class Grant and Contribution Program toSupport Research, Awareness and Learningin Space Science and Technology
Program Purpose:
This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.