MDA Begins Work On Mars 2007 Mission

Richmond, B.C. - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA) announced today that the company has been awarded $1.2 million by the Canadian Space Agency for Phase A of the NASA Scout Mission Phoenix, set to go to Mars in 2007.

"Most benefits from science missions to Mars occur right here on Earth," said Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the CSA. "Such highly specialized technological challenges enhance our industry's innovative capacities. Furthermore, the funds are spent right here in Canada, allowing for new job opportunities and technology transfers to other sectors of the industry."

This project marks the beginning of a multiphase program to produce Canada's contribution to the Phoenix mission. Phase A involves the development of detailed specifications and concept design by MDA of the information system for the mission. This system will provide information on the climate of Mars.

"Mars is literally our next stepping stone for the exploration of the Solar system," said the CSA's President Marc Garneau. "This planet is within reach. It has interesting features such as water, gravity, an atmosphere and possibly traces of life. Unmanned science missions to Mars, such as NASA's 2007 Phoenix Mission, help us gather fundamental science and essential information for future manned missions."

MDA is the prime contractor to the Canadian Space Agency for Canada's contribution to the mission. NASA announced the selection of Phoenix from four candidate missions on August 5, 2003. MDA leads the industrial team that includes Optech Incorporated from Toronto. The scientific team, led by Dr. Allan Carswell of Optech Incorporated and of York University, is made up of Canadian scientists from all over Canada.

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