EchoStar selects MDA as prime contractor for NTN LEO D2D satellite constellation

EchoStar (SATS) has selected MDA, a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, as the prime contractor for EchoStar’s new non-terrestrial network, or NTN, low Earth orbit, or LEO, direct-to-device, or D2D, satellite constellation. With this contract, MDA Space is on track to begin volume manufacturing of the world’s first 3GPP 5G compliant non-terrestrial network using LEO satellites. The initial contract, valued at approximately $1.3B, includes the design, manufacturing and testing of over 100 software-defined MDA Aurora D2D satellites. With contract options, enabling a full initial configuration of a network of over 200 satellites, the value of the contract would increase to an approximate total value of $2.5B. EchoStar envisions future growth to thousands of satellites, as demand requires, to provide global talk, text and broadband services directly to standard 5G handheld devices. Delivery of satellites is planned for 2028 with commercial service starting in 2029. The initial EchoStar contract of approximately $1.3B for the first tranche of satellites will be added to MDA’s backlog in the Q3 and represents the fourth LEO constellation contract awarded to MDA Space in just over three years.