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MDA Space (MDA) adds $474 million to Telesat Lightspeed satellite contract

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Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

MDA Space Ltd. has been awarded an additional $474 million to expand its work on the Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation. Telesat is increasing the constellation by 69 satellites to 225 fully funded satellites; for MDA Space this adds 27 satellites to the 198 previously under contract.

The higher contract value covers the new satellites, the addition of 500 MHz of military Ka-band spectrum on Lightspeed satellites in place of an equal amount of commercial Ka-band spectrum, and other long-lead items. The majority of the $474 million increase will be added to MDA Space’s backlog in the third quarter of 2026.

Under Canada’s Enhanced Satellite Communications Project-Polar program, the Government of Canada named MDA Space as prime contractor for a secure Ultra-High Frequency and X-band constellation in Medium Earth Orbit, with Telesat as subcontractor; negotiations on this component are underway and contract details will be disclosed once finalized.

Positive

  • $474 million contract expansion for the Telesat Lightspeed constellation increases MDA Space’s satellite production order and deepens its relationship with a key LEO operator.
  • Most of the $474 million increase will be added to MDA Space’s backlog in the third quarter of 2026, directly increasing the company’s contracted backlog.
  • Prime contractor designation for the Government of Canada’s UHF and X-band MEO constellation gives MDA Space the lead role on an additional national defence satellite program, with Telesat as subcontractor.

Negative

  • None.
Contract value increase $474 million Increase in total value of MDA Space’s contract for the Telesat Lightspeed LEO constellation
Additional satellites for MDA Space 27 satellites Increase in MDA Space satellites under contract, from 198 to 225 units
Constellation expansion 69 satellites Telesat Lightspeed expansion from 156 to 225 fully funded satellites
Military Ka-band addition 500 MHz Military Ka-band spectrum added to Lightspeed satellites, replacing 500 MHz of commercial Ka-band
Backlog timing Third quarter of 2026 Majority of the $474 million contract increase to be added to MDA Space’s backlog
low Earth orbit constellation technical
"expanding the Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation."
Ka-band technical
"500 MHz of military Ka-band to Lightspeed satellites currently being built."
Ka-band is a slice of the microwave radio spectrum (roughly 26.5–40 GHz) commonly used for satellite links and high-capacity wireless backhaul. Because it carries more data per second and lets antennas be smaller, it can enable faster internet and more channels, but its higher frequency is also more prone to signal loss in heavy rain or obstacles. Investors track Ka-band deployment and equipment costs because it affects a company’s ability to deliver high-speed services, coverage economics, and revenue potential.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) technical
"a secure Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) and X-band constellation in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)."
Medium Earth orbit (MEO) is the band of space a few thousand to about 36,000 kilometers above Earth where many navigation and communications satellites circle the planet; think of it as the middle floors of a very tall building between low and geostationary orbits. Investors care because a satellite’s orbit affects signal delay, coverage area, satellite lifetime and launch cost, which in turn shape a business’s revenue potential, capital needs and technical and regulatory risks.
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) technical
"will also include a secure Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) and X-band constellation."
backlog financial
"majority of the increase in contract value of $474 million will be added to the company’s backlog."
A backlog is the amount of work or orders that a company has received but hasn't completed yet. It’s like a restaurant with many dishes to serve; the backlog shows how many orders are still waiting to be finished. It matters because a large backlog can indicate strong demand or potential delays in delivering products or services.
forward-looking information regulatory
"may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation."
Forward-looking information are predictions, plans, estimates or expectations about a company’s future performance, results or events, such as sales forecasts, project timelines, or anticipated costs. It matters to investors because these statements guide expectations but rely on assumptions and uncertain factors—like a weather forecast for a business—so investors should treat them as informed guesses rather than guarantees and consider the risks and possible changes behind the numbers.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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FAQ

What new Telesat Lightspeed contract did MDA Space (MDA) announce?
MDA Space announced a $474 million increase to its Telesat Lightspeed contract. The expansion covers additional next-generation broadband satellites, added military Ka-band capacity and other long-lead items, building on the company’s previously announced manufacturing work for the low Earth orbit constellation.

How many satellites will the expanded Telesat Lightspeed constellation include?
Telesat is expanding its Lightspeed constellation by 69 satellites, bringing the number of fully funded satellites from 156 to 225. For MDA Space, this translates into 27 additional satellites on top of the 198 it was already contracted to manufacture.

How does the $474 million award affect MDA Space (MDA) backlog?
The company stated that the majority of the $474 million increase will be added to its backlog in the third quarter of 2026. Some long-lead-time items were already included in backlog earlier, so only the remaining portion will be recognized at that time.

What military communications upgrades is MDA Space (MDA) providing on Telesat Lightspeed?
All MDA-built Lightspeed satellites will carry 500 MHz of military Ka-band spectrum alongside commercial Ka-band. This replaces an equal amount of commercial Ka-band and is aimed at supporting Canadian and allied military communications, particularly across the high-latitude Arctic region.

What role will MDA Space (MDA) play in Canada’s ESCP-P program?
The Government of Canada announced that MDA Space will serve as prime contractor for a secure Ultra-High Frequency and X-band constellation in Medium Earth Orbit. Telesat will act as subcontractor, and negotiations to define and develop these services are underway, with contract details to follow.

Where will MDA Space (MDA) build the additional Lightspeed satellites?
MDA Space stated that all Lightspeed satellites it designs, builds and tests will be produced at its high-volume manufacturing facility in Montréal. This facility will handle both the original satellites and the additional units from the expanded Telesat contract.

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of August   2026
Commission File Number 001-43190    

 

MDA SPACE LTD.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 

7500 Financial Drive

Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6Y 6K7

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 

Form 20-F    o            Form 40-F    x

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS REPORT

 

Exhibit  
   
99.1 Press Release dated August 4, 2026

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    MDA Space Ltd.
    (Registrant)
     
Date: August 4, 2026   By: /s/ Guillaume Lavoie
        Name: Guillaume Lavoie
        Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

MDA SPACE AWARDED $474 MILLION TO EXPAND THE 

TELESAT LIGHTSPEED LEO CONSTELLATION 

Follow-on order of MDA AURORATM satellites will enable Telesat to meet the needs of both commercial and defence customers

 

TORONTO, ON (August 4, 2026)–MDA Space Ltd. (TSX:MDA) (NYSE:MDA), a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, will be supplying Telesat LEO ULC, a division of Telesat Corporation (Nasdaq:TSAT) (TSX:TSAT) with additional MDA AURORATM next-generation broadband satellites, coinciding with the operator’s announcement today that it is expanding the Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation.

 

Telesat announced that it is expanding its LEO constellation by 69 satellites, bringing the total number of fully funded satellites from 156 to 225. For MDA Space, this represents an increase of 27 satellites to the previously announced 198 satellites being manufactured for the Telesat Lightspeed LEO constellation. As a result, MDA Space has increased the total value of the contract by $474 million, which includes the new satellites, the addition of 500 MHz of military Ka-band to Lightspeed satellites currently being built, replacing the same amount of commercial Ka-band spectrum, and other long-lead items.

  

This constellation expansion follows the Strategic Partnership Agreement announced last year between MDA Space, the Department of National Defence and Telesat to provide connectivity across the Canadian Arctic as part of the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project-Polar (ESCP-P) program, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces to operate effectively in the region.

 

“Reliable military communication in the Arctic is a necessity for protecting Canadian sovereignty, maintaining situational awareness, coordinating joint operations with allies, and responding quickly to emergencies in a region where every minute counts,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. “As a Canadian-based global leader in space and satellite systems, MDA Space is proud to partner with Telesat and the Government of Canada to help equip the Canadian Armed Forces with some of the most advanced capabilities on the market to keep Canadians safe.”

 

The ESCP-P program will also include a secure Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) and X-band constellation in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). The Government of Canada announced today that MDA Space will serve as the prime contractor responsible for end-to-end mission delivery and that negotiations to advance the definition and development of the UHF and X-band services are underway. Contract details will be disclosed once finalized. Telesat will serve as a subcontractor to MDA Space on this component of the program.

 

All MDA AURORATM satellites being designed, built and tested by MDA Space for the Telesat Lightspeed constellation will feature 500 MHz of military Ka-band spectrum alongside Ka-band commercial spectrum, fulfilling a critical national defence commitment of facilitating military communications across the high-latitude region in support of Canada’s continental-security objectives and its obligations to allied partners. The satellites will be built at the company’s state-of-the-art, high-volume manufacturing facility in Montréal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The majority of the increase in contract value of $474 million will be added to the company’s backlog in the third quarter of 2026 as some long-lead-time items were previously added.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the company's current expectations regarding future events. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ultimate number of satellites to be delivered to Telesat by MDA Space, the technical specifications and functionality of the satellites that are delivered, the ability of the delivered satellites to fulfill the purpose for which they were intended and the ultimate conversion by MDA Space of any of its backlog into revenue. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by MDA Space in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of MDA Space to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including without limitation the risks and uncertainties detailed under the "Risk Factors" section of MDA Space's annual information form dated March 4, 2026.

 

Although MDA Space believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements. There are a number of additional risks and uncertainties affecting or that could affect MDA Space, which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those described in, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information included within this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, MDA Space is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ABOUT MDA SPACE
Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) (NYSE:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global defence and space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 4,000 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission — bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit mda.space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Amy MacLeod
Vice President, Corporate Communications
613-796-6937
amy.macleod@mda.space

 

INVESTOR CONTACT
Jim Floros
Vice President, Investor Relations
289-914-0209
jim.floros@mda.space

 

SOCIAL MEDIA
LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/company/MDAspace
X: X.com/MDA_space
Facebook: Facebook.com/MDAspace
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/MDAspace
Instagram: instagram.com/MDA_space

 

 

 

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

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