Magellan Aerospace Delivers the Structure for the First Two Payload Modules for RCM
Toronto, ON – September 15, 2015 – Magellan Aerospace (“Magellan”) is pleased to report the progress on a previously announced contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA”), a prime contractor for Canada’s RADARSAT Constellation Mission (“RCM”). Magellan has achieved key milestones in the contract with the delivery of the structure for the first two payload modules to MDA. The payload modules are major structural assemblies that will house the electronics for the radar payload being developed by MDA, and are key delivery milestones in Magellan’s contract with MDA. The payload module structures were designed and built at Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg, the company’s centre of excellence for space systems.
“The RCM contract has a challenging schedule,” said Mr. Phil Underwood, President and CEO, Magellan Aerospace, “Magellan’s ability to deliver the payload module structures on-time, and to our customer’s specifications is crucial to the success of this important Canadian satellite mission. The spacecraft buses that Magellan is manufacturing for RCM are significantly larger than the buses that have been provided for previous Canadian space missions,” he continued, “and Magellan has invested in a new Advanced Satellite Integration Facility in Winnipeg that will be large enough to accommodate the simultaneous build of three satellite buses. This investment demonstrates Magellan’s commitment to the RCM program and the global satellite market”.
The first payload module structure for RCM was delivered to MDA in fall of 2014, and the second payload module structure was delivered in late spring of 2015. During this timeframe Magellan also successfully completed the structural modal test at its new Advanced Satellite Integration Facility in Winnipeg. The modal test is a key milestone that verified the structural design of the spacecraft. The structure responded as the simulations predicated, confirming that Magellan’s design will meet the demanding launch environment of the rocket.
Magellan has been contracted by MDA to manufacture three spacecraft buses, including three payload modules, for the Canadian Space Agency’s RCM mission. One of the primary objectives of the mission will be to provide twenty-four-hour-a-day C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to augment and extend the data that RADARSAT-2 users currently rely on. The payload module structures delivered to date will provide mechanical support for the payload as well as aligning the electronics and SAR antennas. The payload modules also provide radiation shielding, thermal control for the payload electronics and mounting for the bus instruments.
About Magellan Aerospace
Magellan Aerospace is a global, integrated aerospace company that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers, and defense and space agencies worldwide. Magellan designs, engineers, and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets, advanced products for military and space markets, industrial power generation, and specialty products. Magellan is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MAL), with operating units throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Poland.
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For information:
Mr. Daniel Zanatta
Vice President, Business Development,
Marketing and Contracts
Magellan Aerospace
Ph. 905 677 1889 x300
Mr. Don Boitson
Vice President and General Manager
Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg
Ph. 204 775 8331 x2832