HERNDON, VA – SSL, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), and a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, announced today it was selected through the Space Enterprise Consortium, managed by Advanced Technology International, to lead the team developing a persistent space layer prototype concept to address warfighter requirements for detecting and tracking missile threats for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Missile Defense Agency.
The award demonstrates how Maxar Technologies companies are working together to build a better world and maintain American leadership in space. In partnership with SSL, Maxar’s Radiant Solutions will augment SSL’s longstanding leadership in building resilient, persistent and cost effective space solutions with Radiant Solutions’ world-class mission and ground systems engineering expertise to solve the U.S. Department of Defense mission needs.
The concept, called the Space Sensor Layer (previously Missile Defense Tracking System), is crucial to the next-generation operational space layer, providing persistent and resilient capabilities to detect and track threats using space-based sensing. Harnessing the power of Maxar Technologies’ unrivaled, advanced capabilities, including extensive experience in spacecraft design, sensor technology, space-to-ground communications, and enterprise ground segment development, as well as the industry leading expertise of Systems Engineering Associates in overhead persistent infrared systems engineering, SSL will formulate an affordable and effective end-to-end solution that includes overarching system engineering and integration support.
“We are honored to accelerate the innovation needed for next-generation concepts that support national and international security and a more resilient American space enterprise,” said Richard White, president of SSL Government Systems. “As a global leader in producing powerful, cost-effective, and reliable commercial satellites, SSL is in a strong position to support the U.S. government in meeting its most critical space system challenges with confidence.”
“As Maxar Technology companies, Radiant Solutions and SSL together are able to unlock new solutions and more insights than either of us could do alone,” said Tony Frazier, President of Radiant Solutions. “The important missile defense concepts we are working on will bolster U.S. national security and build a better world. Together, our goal is to help defense and intelligence agencies address their most critical and complex challenges with confidence.”
In another example of the company’s trusted partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, SSL recently completed a study exploring new solutions for next-generation space architectures to meet the objectives of the U.S. Air Force Space Command’s Space Enterprise Vision, which is expected to accelerate crucial technologies for resilient space defense capabilities and positions SSL as a leader in technologies and systems for future missions.
About SSL
SSL, based in Palo Alto, California, is a leading provider of advanced spacecraft systems, with broad expertise to support commercial and government satellite operators and innovative space missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, in-orbit servicing, space exploration, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for 60 years, SSL’s advanced product line includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and autonomous solutions for remote operations. SSL is a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR). For more information, visit www.sslmda.com.
About Radiant Solutions
Radiant Solutions provides highly specialized, innovative geospatial multisource data, analytics, software, and services to deliver critical insights and intelligence where and when it matters. Poised to transform how customers support global mapping and intelligence missions at scale, Radiant Solutions harnesses the proliferation of pervasive information-gathering sensors, open-source software, cloud computing, machine learning, and big data analytics. Our combined team of over 1,000 sensor and spacecraft engineers, geospatial analysts, weather and ocean experts, developers, data scientists, and DevOps engineers delivers innovative geospatial solutions that keep our nation safe, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve scarce natural resources. Building on the legacy of MDA Information Systems, RadiantBlue, DigitalGlobe Intelligence Solutions, and HumanGeo, the newly combined Radiant Solutions has a strong track record with its advanced capabilities, open approach, and experience supporting missions that helps customers in the GEOINT community reach critical decisions faster and with greater accuracy. Radiant Solutions is based in Herndon, VA with major offices across Virginia, Maryland, Florida, Michigan, and Colorado. Radiant Solutions is a business unit of Maxar Technologies, a U.S. operating company (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR). For more information visit: www.RadiantSolutions.com.
About Maxar Technologies
As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com.
