NASA To Remain On-Target With MDA Berthing Cue System

Brampton, Ontario ..... MD Robotics, a subsidiary of MacDonald Dettwiler (TSE:MDA), has won a competitively bid contract from NASA for $11.5 million (Cdn.) to provide a system that allows astronauts within the International Space Station (ISS) to safely install external payloads.

Using a combination of precision cameras and targets, the Berthing Cue System will enable operators to move payloads along a trajectory that is within the berthing range for accurate placement on the Station.

"Eighteen months ago, MD Robotics embarked on developing a space qualified black and white camera, a feat never before undertaken within our organization. To successfully develop and subsequently competitively win an order from NASA for 24 of these cameras is simply fantastic," said Mag Iskander, vice president and general manager of MD Robotics.

Peter Stibrany, vice president of business development comments, "Vision systems are essential for future space station operations. This order for the system's 24 cameras also provides us with a tremendous opportunity to expand into other vision areas utilizing the flight heritage this camera will give us. In fact, we have baselined this camera for use on our next generation robotics, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, which will fly in 2004."

MD Robotics is teaming with Lockheed Martin Space Operations of Houston, Texas on this project. Together, we bring extensive experience in the development, certification and integration of hardware and operations of numerous types of robotic and visual cue systems for the Space Shuttle and ISS programs.

MD Robotics is the world's leader in space robotics committed to offering hi-tech, sophisticated robotic and engineering solutions for space and terrestrial applications.

Related Websites:
www.mda.ca