[SatNews] MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA" or the "Company") (TSX: MDA) has signed a contract in excess of CA$4 million to provide OHB System AG with satellite communication electronics to be integrated into the EDRS-C telecommunication satellite as part of the European Data Relay Satellite (EDRS) system.

Artistic rendition of the EDRS-C satellite.
Image courtesy of Astrium.

The EDRS system of telecommunication satellites in geostationary orbit will relay information between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and ground stations. EDRS will increase the time the satellites can be in communication with the ground and enable faster delivery of imagery to users. This will support response activities following natural disasters, such as providing accurate space-based maps of affected areas. Astrium is the industrial prime contractor to the European Space Agency for the implementation and later operations of the EDRS system.

MDA's infosite is located at this direct link.