Robotic Technologies for Space Exploration at MDA

For many years, space robotics has been a key element of the Canadian Space Program with over $2B of total investment. Robotic arms designed and built by MDA are used on virtually all flights of the Space Shuttle and are operating on the International Space Station. MDA is also providing sophisticated robotic systems for autonomous satellite rendezvous and servicing missions including the robotic repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. Building upon this strong heritage, MDA is setting its sights beyond Earth orbit toward the exploration of the moon, Mars, and beyond. Strategic technologies are being developed to allow Canada to continue as a leader in space robotics, and provide the critical robotic systems for this next chapter in humanity’s exploration of space. This paper provides an overview of the work ongoing at MDA to continue to advance space robotic capabilities ranging from rovers to flight experiments to complete mission designs.