{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-30/mda-space-iris2-antenna-subsystems-thales-alenia","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-30/mda-space-iris2-antenna-subsystems-thales-alenia.md","title":"MDA Space Wins $100 million IRIS2 Antenna Work for 66 Satellites","headline":"MDA Space to Build Digital Antennas for 66 IRIS2 Satellites Under $100 million-Plus Thales Alenia Space Deal","description":"MDA Space will supply AURORA digital antenna subsystems for 66 IRIS2 satellites under a Thales Alenia Space authorization to proceed valued at more than $100 million.","section":"Contracts & Customers","published_at":"2026-10-30T12:30:40+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-30T12:30:40+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["MDA Space signed an authorization to proceed with Thales Alenia Space for digital antenna subsystems on 66 IRIS2 Layer 1 satellites.","The agreement is valued at more than $100 million and covers MDA AURORA broadband digital phased array antennas and a digital antenna controller.","The IRIS2 work will enter MDA Space's backlog in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, with launches planned for 2029."],"companies":[{"name":"MDA Space","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0007rnn/mda-space","website":"https://mda.space/en"},{"name":"Thales Alenia Space","is_primary":false,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002uzw/thales-alenia-space","website":"https://www.thalesaleniaspace.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"PR Newswire","title":"IRIS² CONSTELLATION: MDA SPACE TO PROVIDE THALES ALENIA SPACE WITH DIGITAL ANTENNA SUBSYSTEMS FOR 66 EARLY-DELIVERY SATELLITES","url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iris-constellation-mda-space-to-provide-thales-alenia-space-with-digital-antenna-subsystems-for-66-early-delivery-satellites-302924382.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Contracts & Customers","MDA Space","Thales Alenia Space"],"body_markdown":"[MDA Space](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0007rnn/mda-space) Ltd. has entered an authorization to proceed with [Thales Alenia Space](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002uzw/thales-alenia-space) to build digital antenna subsystems for 66 IRIS2 satellites, an agreement valued at more than $100 million. The Toronto-listed company announced the deal on October 30, 2026, according to [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iris-constellation-mda-space-to-provide-thales-alenia-space-with-digital-antenna-subsystems-for-66-early-delivery-satellites-302924382.html). MDA Space is a Canadian aerospace prime contractor that designs and manufactures software-defined satellites, space robotics and Earth observation systems for government defence agencies and commercial satellite operators.\n\n## MDA AURORA Antennas for IRIS2 Layer 1\n\nThe work covers MDA AURORA broadband digital phased array antennas and a digital antenna controller for the 66 \"Layer 1\" IRIS2 satellites in low Earth orbit. IRIS2, the EU Secure Connectivity Programme, is described by the company as the new standard bearer for Europe's autonomous and sovereign space capability. The MDA AURORA direct radiating arrays use digital beamforming, which the company says makes them key enablers within the program.\n\n\"Entering into this ATP to deliver critical digital antenna subsystems for the first set of Layer 1 IRIS2 satellites, to be launched in 2029, is a landmark moment for MDA Space and our MDA AURORA technology,\" said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. The company said the AURORA system and its subsystems are engineered for high-volume production and are designed, manufactured and tested at its facility in Montréal. The definitive contract for MDA Space's full scope of work is subject to contract finalization.\n\nThales Alenia Space, the counterparty, is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%). The company received an award in October 2026 for two additional Galileo Second Generation satellites under its ESA contract, bringing its total contribution to eight, [EuropaWire](https://www.thalesaleniaspace.com) reported.\n\n## MDA Space's Montréal Manufacturing Expansion\n\nAccording to [akta.pro company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), MDA Space inaugurated a 185,000-square-foot high-volume satellite manufacturing facility in Montréal on May 8, 2026, doubling manufacturing floor space and enabling delivery of up to 400 MDA AURORA satellites per year. The same records show record full-year revenues of $1,633 million for fiscal 2025, up 51% year-over-year, and fiscal 2026 guidance of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion in revenues.\n\n## Earlier MDA Space Contract and Facility News\n\nIn August 2026, MDA Space opened the MDA CHORUS Control Centre in St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Québec, establishing the operational hub for its next-generation Earth observation satellite constellation, Stock Titan reported. The same month, MDA Space reported a 34% revenue increase to $499 million for the quarter ended June 30, driven by its satellite, robotics and geointelligence segments, according to the Financial Post.\n\n## IRIS2 Launch and Backlog Timing\n\nThe IRIS2 Layer 1 satellites covered by the agreement are to be launched in 2029. MDA Space said the IRIS2 authorization to proceed will be included in its backlog in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}