NASA Awards MDA $38.5 Million Contract For Continued Support On Shuttle And Space Station Robotics

Brampton, Ontario ..... MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates' (TSE:MDA) subsidiary, MD Robotics, has received a $38.5M (Cdn.) contract from NASA Johnson Space Center to provide continued engineering support to robotics elements on both the Shuttle and on the International Space Station.

The contract adds considerably to sustaining engineering services already provided to NASA by MD Robotics to support their fleet of Canadarms on the Space Shuttle and the recently installed Robotic Work Station on the International Space Station (ISS). For these important Canadian-developed manned spaceflight products, MD Robotics will provide management, engineering resources and services to maintain the integrity of flight hardware, software and ground support equipment. The contract also provides for product improvements and enhancements, on-orbit operations support, flight spares, and integration and test activities through to the end of 2002.

"We fully expect that our capabilities in providing on-orbit operations will lead to further contracts of this nature on the ISS and in the on-orbit satellite servicing business," stated Chris Woodland, Mobile Servicing System Program Director.

The Canadarm, one of Canada's premier technological achievements, has been a key Shuttle component since it first entered service in 1981. The first Canadarm was Canada's contribution to the U.S. Space Program. The initial investment by the Canadian government of $103 million has since resulted in approximately $700 million of export sales of this and related spin-off technologies, earning Canada and MD Robotics a reputation as the world leader in space robotics.

The Robotic Work Station, developed by MD Robotics under direct contract to NASA, was launched in March 2001 and provides vital display, control and command links to the space station's robotics, cameras and video equipment allowing astronauts to perform difficult assembly and maintenance tasks from within the safe confines of the Space Station.

"This contract reinforces the ongoing relationship we have had with NASA since we delivered the first Canadarm 20 years ago," commented Sam Higson, director of Shuttle Programs at MD Robotics. "Canadarm is encountering its busiest phase ever with the construction of the Space Station and we expect that it will continue to be a vital component on the Shuttle for many years to come. We are extremely proud of Canadarm's record of 58 flawless flight performances and look forward to ensuring the continued safe, reliable service that NASA and the astronauts have come to rely on."

About MD Robotics

MD Robotics, a subsidiary of MacDonald Dettwiler, is the world?s leading space robotics company, committed to offering hi-tech, sophisticated robotic and engineering solutions for space and terrestrial applications.

Related Websites:
www.mda.ca
www.space.gc.ca