MDA Space wants 170 satellites for D2D
September 1, 2026

By Chris Forrester


Canada-based MDA Space wants to own and operate a satellite constellation of its own in the form of 170 satellites for direct-to-device users. MDA Space is a Canadian space technology company headquartered in Ontario, Canada, that provides geo-intelligence, robotics, space operations and satellite systems.

On August 27th MDA launched its Space Launchpad Ventures. The company is also busy building satellites for fellow Canadian company Telesat. Telesat is spending C$474 million (€294.1m) with MDA to build Telesat’s Lightspeed fleet.

The new concept is called SpaceRAN and the news emerged in an ITU advance-publication filing and in MDA’s response to Ottawa’s consultation on mobile satellite spectrum. First phase: 96 satellites targeted for 2029 with full Canadian coverage. MDA CEO Mike Greenley has reportedly told investors not to expect a big cheque from MDA — the build is meant to be funded through a consortium of Canadian partners.

A second phase would add a third, lower-inclination plane and bring the constellation to 170 satellites, extending coverage worldwide. The public ITU record shows a constellation of 170 satellites in circular 750-kilometre orbits, with a bring-into-use deadline of January 15th 2033, the standard seven-year clock that starts on an advance publication.