COM DEV And Antrix Join Hands For The M3M Satellite
COM DEV And Antrix Join Hands For The M3M Satellite
COM DEV International Ltd. from Canada has just announced that it will be collaborating with the commercial organisational unit of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in launching a special satellite. COM DEV, the leading manufacturer of space hardware subsystems is partnering Antrix Corporation to launch the M3M satellite on the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) from India's ISRO in 2015. The announcement was made at the 65th International Astronautical Congress 2014 held in the Canadian city of Toronto. Dr. V. S. Hegde , the Chairman and MD of Antrix and General (retired) Walter Natynczk, who presides over the CSA or the Canadian Space Agency.
The M3M satellite was the brainchild of COM DEV under the contract provided by the Canadian Space Agency/Public Works Government Services Canada for Defence Research and Development Canada. The satellite project is also associated with a commercial data sharing licence with exactEarth Ltd, a joint venture that is owned 73% by COM DEV International and 27% by Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos S.A.
Michael Pley, the CEO of COM DEV International Ltd. was quoted as saying, "This contract reflects a monumental effort between COM DEV and Antrix, and between COM DEV and the CSA, to close out our original contract and secure the most rapid replacement launch for the M3M satellite, which was withdrawn from its original launch slot on the Russian Soyuz rocket in July this year."
Peter Mabson who is the President of exactEarth Limited added that they deeply appreciated the efforts made by the government of Canada and Com DEV to address the issues that arose and speedily resolving the same through the selection of the ISRO. The ISRO also launched Canada’s NTS Satellite in 2008, which is the first commercial AIS ship tracking satellite in the world.
COM DEV International is a leading provider of space hardware and services. It has offices in Canada, the UK and the US. It is involved in the design, manufacture and integration of advanced products as well as micro-satellites. Its subsidiary exactEarth, of which it owns a majority, provides satellite data services for international maritime surveillance.
M3M is stands for Maritime Monitoring and Messaging Micro-Satellite and this satellite will now be launched by India's PSLV rocket. The agreement for this was signed by Antrix Corp and COM DEV Intel. This communication satellite was constructed at the cost of $21 million by COM DEV International.
Cooperation in the area of space research and satellite development is a positive step forward for international relations. After all other kinds of diplomacy including cultural and sports diplomacy, one looks forward to shuttle diplomacy pervading the new era of space technology into which humanity hurtles faster than the speed of light.
