Industry · Secure satcom
MDA Space gets authorization for antenna work on 66 IRIS² satellites
The agreement with Thales Alenia Space starts MDA's work on the EU secure-connectivity constellation, while the definitive contract remains subject to finalization.
MDA Space announced an agreement with Thales Alenia Space on Oct. 30 to begin antenna work for the EU's IRIS² secure-connectivity program. Its scope covers MDA AURORA broadband digital phased array antennas and a digital antenna controller for 66 Layer 1 satellites planned for low Earth orbit.1
MDA Space entered an agreement with Thales Alenia Space
to begin work on MDA AURORA antennas
The authorization to proceed agreement is valued at more than $100M (currency not specified in release)
The definitive contract for MDA Space's full scope of work is subject to contract finalization.
MDA Space release, Oct. 30, 2026
Sources
The authorization-to-proceed agreement allows work to begin before finalization of the definitive contract for MDA's full scope. MDA values the authorization at more than $100 million, without specifying the currency, and says it will enter backlog in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.1
MDA Space Chief Executive Mike Greenley said the agreement covers the first set of Layer 1 satellites, planned for launch in 2029. MDA says its AURORA system and associated subsystems are engineered for high-volume production and are designed, manufactured and tested at its Montréal facility.1
The agreement gives MDA antenna work within a constellation the European Commission plans to comprise 348 satellites across low and medium Earth orbit.1–2 The Commission says IRIS² will provide secure, encrypted communications for EU institutions, ministries and embassies. It also expects the network to support defense operations, border and maritime surveillance, and intelligence-sharing.2
Sources (2)
- MDA Space release, Oct. 30, 2026 www.prnewswire.com
- European Commission, IRIS² Secure Connectivity defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu