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Maxar Technologies
American satellite manufacturer

Maxar Technologies Inc. is an American space technology company headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, United States, specializing in geospatial intelligence, Earth observation, and on-orbit servicing satellites, satellite products, and related services. DigitalGlobe and MDA Holdings Company merged to become Maxar Technologies on October 5, 2017.

Maxar Technologies is the parent holding company of Maxar Space Systems, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, US; and Maxar Intelligence, headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, US. From 2017 to 2023, it was dual-listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR.

In May 2023, Maxar was acquired by private equity firm Advent International, in an all-cash transaction worth $6.4 billion.

Maxar's satellite data was used by Ukraine as part of its defense against Russia's invasion of its territory. In March 2025, Maxar worked with the Donald Trump administration to shut down Ukraine's access to the data.

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History

Maxar Technologies was created in 2017 from the purchase of DigitalGlobe by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), who renamed the company Maxar.6 The headquarters of the combined entity was then established in Westminster, Colorado. The company was dual-listed on the TSX and NYSE.78

In Q3 2018 Maxar's revenue and adjusted profit missed estimates due to a decline in its satellite manufacturing segment oriented towards geosynchronous Earth orbit communications, which led to a plunge in the stock price.9 The situation was compounded in January 2019 with the loss of their relatively new WorldView-4 satellite, and the market capitalization fell from $3 to $0.3 billion in half a year,10 and with an insurance payment only covering a fifth of WV-4 total launch cost the company had to restructure its debts in April 2019.11

In May 2019, the company was selected as the provider of the power and propulsion element for the Lunar Gateway developed by NASA.12

On December 30, 2019, the company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell MDA's assets to a consortium of financial sponsors led by Northern Private Capital for CA$1 billion (US$765 million). The sale includes all of MDA's Canadian businesses, encompassing ground stations, radar satellite products, robotics, defense, and satellite components, representing approximately 1,900 employees.13

On April 8, 2020, the sale of MDA to NPC officially closed. The divesting of its Canadian MDA portion returned MDA to a separate operating company.14 The newly formed privately held Canadian company was named MDA Ltd.,15 which later listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

In 2022, Maxar published several satellite images that showed a Russian military convoy during its invasion of Ukraine.161718

In September 2023, Maxar was broken into two business units, Maxar Space Systems (based in California, led by CEO Chris Johnson) and Maxar Intelligence (based in Colorado, led by CEO Dan Smoot).19

In early March 2025, Maxar Technologies suspended Ukraine's access to its satellite imagery, stating that the request came from the Trump administration.2021 Maxar had been a leading provider of satellite data to Ukraine, which the country used as part of its efforts to defend itself against the Russian invasion.22 The data was used to track the movement of Russian troops and assess damage to Ukrainian infrastructure.23

Timeline

  • 1969: John MacDonald and Vern Dettwiler founded MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates.
  • 1993: MDA sells its Electro-Optical Division (EOP) based in Richmond Canada to a Swiss Private Equity firm which merges with Cymbolic Sciences based in California.
  • 1995: MDA was acquired by Orbital Sciences for $67 million in stock24
  • 1996: acquired Iotek, a supplier of signal processing and sonar technology for military customers, for undisclosed sum25
  • 2000: entered joint venture with LandAmerica Financial Group to create LandMDA, a provider of property reports to lenders26
  • 2000/01: Orbital Sciences divested its MDA shares through an initial public offering; trades as TSX: MDA
  • 2002: acquired Automated Mining Systems of Aurora, Ontario for $225,00027
  • 2002: acquired Dynacs for $3.1 million, with an additional $6.8 million contingent on performance28 (now "MDA US Systems, LLC", located in Houston, Texas)
  • 2003: acquired Millar & Bryce, a commercial provider of land information in Scotland, for $21.32 million, with $1.76 million contingent on performance.29
  • 2004: acquired Marshall & Swift / Boeckh for $337.8 million, with $104.9 million contingent on performance.30
  • 2005: acquired business of EMS Technologies Canada (previously RCA Canada, which then became the Montreal division of SPAR Aerospace), a major supplier and subcontractor, for $8.9 million31
  • 2006: expanded into financial services with acquisition of Mindbox, a supplier of advanced decision systems for mortgage lending, for US$12.6 million, with up to $10.75 million contingent on performance32
  • 2006: acquired xit2 Ltd. (Nr Charlbury, Oxfordshire, UK), information exchange solutions[buzzword] for lenders and home surveyors and other outsourced service providers33
  • 2006: acquired Lyttle & Co. (Belfast, Northern Ireland), property and related search information34
  • 2007: acquired Alliance Spacesystems, Inc.35 (now "Maxar Space Robotics LLC", located in Pasadena, CA, US)
  • 2008: MDA announced the sale of its Information Systems and Geospatial Services operations to Alliant Techsystems of Edina, Minnesota for $1.325 billion.36 However, amongst much media coverage, the sale was rejected by the federal government of Canada under the Investment Canada Act.37
  • 2008: Canadian government officially blocked the sale of MDA to ATK on May 8, 200838
  • 2012: acquired Space Systems/Loral for US$875 million, making MDA one of the world's leading communication satellite companies.39
  • 2014: acquired the Advanced Systems business line (formerly ERIM International) of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems division.40
  • 2017: Completed its acquisition of DigitalGlobe, MDA now will be named Maxar Technologies, dual-listed on NYSE and TSX.41 MDA will then be a subsidiary of US-based Maxar by 2019.42
  • 2018: Announced acquisition of Neptec for $32 million.43
  • 2019: Completed U.S. domestication, changing the parent company's incorporation from Canada to Delaware, USA.44
  • 2020: MDA is sold to a consortium of Canadian investors led by Northern Private Capital. This sale includes the Houston-based MDA US Systems, LLC.45
  • 2020: Completed its acquisition of Vricon, Inc for $140 million. Vricon is a global leader in satellite-derived 3D data for defense and intelligence markets 46
  • 2022: Maxar to be taken private through an acquisition led by Advent International, in a cash deal worth $6.4 billion.4748 The acquisition completed in May 2023.49
  • 2024: Maxar Intelligence launches WorldView Legion a fleet of six high-performing satellites that dramatically expanded the ability to revisit the most rapidly changing areas on Earth, enabling more near-time insights.50

See also

References

  1. "MDA-DG combined entity to be rebranded as Maxar Technologies". Geospatial World. Retrieved October 6, 2017. https://www.geospatialworld.net/news/mda-dg-combined-entity-to-be-rebranded-as-maxar-technologies/ ↩

  2. Alamalhodaei, Aria (May 3, 2023). "Maxar completes $6.4B sale to private equity". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/03/maxar-completes-6-4b-sale-to-private-equity/ ↩

  3. Sheetz, Michael (December 16, 2022). "Space company Maxar agrees to go private in $6.4 billion deal". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/16/maxar-selling-to-private-equity-investors-advent-bci.html ↩

  4. "US satellite company Maxar reportedly cuts off Ukraine's access to imagery". Politico. March 7, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/us-satellite-company-maxar-cuts-off-ukraine-access-imagery-report-says/ ↩

  5. "US satellite company Maxar reportedly cuts off Ukraine's access to imagery". Politico. March 7, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/us-satellite-company-maxar-cuts-off-ukraine-access-imagery-report-says/ ↩

  6. Maxar Technologies (October 5, 2017). "MDA Completes Acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Creates Industry Leader in Satellite Systems, Earth Imagery, Geospatial Solutions and Analytics" (Press release). Retrieved November 20, 2020. ↩

  7. Greg Avery (February 14, 2018). "Maxar Technologies, parent of DigitalGlobe, moves HQ to Colorado". Denver Business Journal. https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2018/02/14/maxar-technologies-parent-of-digitalglobe-moves.html ↩

  8. Maxar (October 5, 2017). "MDA Completes Acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Creates Industry Leader in Satellite Systems, Earth Imagery, Geospatial Solutions and Analytics". MAxar Technologies. https://investor.maxar.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2017/MDA-Completes-Acquisition-of-DigitalGlobe-Creates-Industry-Leader-in-Satellite-Systems-Earth-Imagery-Geospatial-Solutions-and-Analytics/default.aspx ↩

  9. "BUZZ-Maxar Technologies: Hits record low on Q3 results miss, forecast cut". Reuters. October 31, 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/buzz-maxar-technologies-hits-record-low-idCAL3N1XB65O ↩

  10. "Maxar Technologies Market Cap 2016-2022 | MAXR". https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MAXR/maxar-technologies/market-cap ↩

  11. "Why Maxar Technologies Stock Plummeted 45% in March". April 4, 2019. https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/04/04/why-maxar-technologies-stock-plummeted-45-in-march.aspx ↩

  12. Grush, Loren (May 23, 2019). "NASA picks satellite maker Maxar to build the first crucial piece of its new lunar space station". The Verge. Retrieved May 23, 2019. https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/23/18637153/nasa-lunar-gateway-artemis-moon-program-space-station ↩

  13. Maxar to Sell MDA for $765 Million - Parabolicarc.com http://parabolicarc.com/2019/12/30/maxar-to-sell-mda-for-765-million/#more-71809 http://parabolicarc.com/2019/12/30/maxar-to-sell-mda-for-765-million/#more-71809 ↩

  14. "Iconic Space Technology Firm Returns to Canadian Control as Sale of MDA to Northern Private Capital Closes" (Press release). https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/iconic-space-technology-firm-returns-to-canadian-control-as-sale-of-mda-to-northern-private-capital-closes-825676127.html ↩

  15. "MDA". MDA. Retrieved October 27, 2020. https://mda.space/ ↩

  16. Beech, Eric (February 28, 2022). "Russian military convoy north of Kyiv stretches for 40 miles -Maxar". Reuters. Retrieved February 28, 2022. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-military-convoy-north-kyiv-stretches-40-miles-maxar-2022-03-01/ ↩

  17. "More than 70 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russian attack on base near Kharkiv". The Guardian. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/fears-of-bloody-fight-for-kyiv-as-huge-russian-army-convoy-gathers-on-outskirts ↩

  18. "The satellite giant bringing global crisis into focus". The Register. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022. https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/01/maxar_satellite_imagery/ ↩

  19. "Maxar Intelligence Names Dan Smoot as CEO, Announces New Management Team | WashingtonExec". October 31, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2025. https://washingtonexec.com/2023/10/maxar-intelligence-names-dan-smoot-as-ceo-announces-new-management-team/ ↩

  20. "US satellite company Maxar reportedly cuts off Ukraine's access to imagery". Politico. March 7, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/us-satellite-company-maxar-cuts-off-ukraine-access-imagery-report-says/ ↩

  21. "Maxar Cuts Off Ukraine's Access To Satellite Imagery". mil.in.ua. March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025. https://mil.in.ua/en/news/maxar-cuts-off-ukraine-s-access-to-satellite-imagery/ ↩

  22. "US satellite company Maxar reportedly cuts off Ukraine's access to imagery". Politico. March 7, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/us-satellite-company-maxar-cuts-off-ukraine-access-imagery-report-says/ ↩

  23. "US satellite company Maxar reportedly cuts off Ukraine's access to imagery". Politico. March 7, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/us-satellite-company-maxar-cuts-off-ukraine-access-imagery-report-says/ ↩

  24. "Orbital Sciences Deal". New York Times. September 6, 1995. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE3D81030F935A3575AC0A963958260 ↩

  25. "MDA to Acquire Iotek Inc. of Halifax". Archived from the original on May 6, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060506033702/http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr1996020701.html ↩

  26. "In Real Estate, Geographic Information and the Internet Changes Everything". Retrieved July 15, 2006. http://www.eomonline.com/Common/Archives/2000oct/00oct_paul.html ↩

  27. "MDA Acquires Small Robotic Mining Company". Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060515015608/http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr2002041101.html ↩

  28. "Annual Report 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 6, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060506031134/http://www.mdacorporation.com/investor/mda_2005_annualreport.pdf ↩

  29. "MDA Acquires Leading Land Information Company in Scotland". Archived from the original on May 6, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060506033243/http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr2003021001.html ↩

  30. "Annual Report 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 6, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060506031134/http://www.mdacorporation.com/investor/mda_2005_annualreport.pdf ↩

  31. "Annual Report 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 6, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060506031134/http://www.mdacorporation.com/investor/mda_2005_annualreport.pdf ↩

  32. "Annual Report 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 6, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060506031134/http://www.mdacorporation.com/investor/mda_2005_annualreport.pdf ↩

  33. "MDA Acquires Leading Provider Of Electronic Exchange Solutions To Lenders And Surveyors In UK". Retrieved July 15, 2006. http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr2006052201.shtml ↩

  34. "MDA Acquires Legal Search Firm In Northern Ireland". Retrieved July 15, 2006. http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr2006052501.shtml ↩

  35. "MDA Acquires U.S.-Based Alliance Spacesystems". December 5, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2013. http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24184 ↩

  36. "MDA Selling Canadarm Business to U.S. Firm". CBC News. January 8, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2008. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mda-selling-canadarm-business-to-u-s-firm-1.739189 ↩

  37. "Ottawa reaffirms decision to block MDA deal". The Globe and Mail. May 9, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2020. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-reaffirms-decision-to-block-mda-deal/article18450585/ ↩

  38. "Minister of Industry Confirms Initial Decision on Proposed Sale of Macdonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to Alliant Techsystems Inc". Industry Canada. May 8, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2009. http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/04219.html ↩

  39. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates CEO Announces Transformational US Acquisition Conference (Transcript). Retrieved on 06-27-12. https://seekingalpha.com/article/687611-macdonald-dettwiler-and-associates-ceo-announces-transformational-us-acquisition-conference-transcript ↩

  40. "October 3, 2014 – MDA completes strategic capability acquisition in the United States". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved June 25, 2018. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mda-completes-strategic-capability-acquisition-in-the-united-states-278063631.html ↩

  41. "MDA-DG combined entity to be rebranded as Maxar Technologies". Geospatial World. Retrieved October 6, 2017. https://www.geospatialworld.net/news/mda-dg-combined-entity-to-be-rebranded-as-maxar-technologies/ ↩

  42. Pugliese, David (November 9, 2017). "Canadarm creator to transform into U.S. company, raising concerns of tech heading south of the border". National Post. Retrieved November 9, 2017. https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canadarm-creator-to-transform-into-us-company-raising-concerns-of-tech-heading-south-of-the-border ↩

  43. Henry, Caleb (July 16, 2018). "Maxar acquires robotics firm Neptec for $32 million". SpaceNews. Retrieved July 16, 2018. https://spacenews.com/maxar-acquires-robotics-firm-neptec-for-32-million/ ↩

  44. "Maxar Technologies Completes U.S. Domestication." Archived January 13, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Maxar Technologies. http://investor.maxar.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2019/Maxar-Technologies-Completes-US-Domestication/default.aspx ↩

  45. "Iconic Space Technology Firm Returns to Canadian Control as Sale of MDA to Northern Private Capital Closes" (Press release). https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/iconic-space-technology-firm-returns-to-canadian-control-as-sale-of-mda-to-northern-private-capital-closes-825676127.html ↩

  46. "Maxar Technologies Completes Acquisition of Vricon, Inc. | Maxar". www.maxar.com (Press release). Retrieved July 1, 2020. https://investor.maxar.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2020/Maxar-Technologies-Completes-Acquisition-of-Vricon-Inc/default.aspx ↩

  47. Sheetz, Michael (December 16, 2022). "Space company Maxar agrees to go private in $6.4 billion deal". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/16/maxar-selling-to-private-equity-investors-advent-bci.html ↩

  48. "Maxar is being acquired by Advent International, a global firm with $89 billion in assets under management". Space News. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022. https://spacenews.com/maxar-technologies-acquired-by-private-equity-firm-in-6-4-billion-deal/ ↩

  49. Alamalhodaei, Aria (May 3, 2023). "Maxar completes $6.4B sale to private equity". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/03/maxar-completes-6-4b-sale-to-private-equity/ ↩

  50. Erwin, Sandra (November 21, 2024). "Maxar prepares for final WorldView Legion launch to complete advanced imaging constellation". SpaceNews. Retrieved February 13, 2025. https://spacenews.com/maxar-prepares-for-final-worldview-legion-launch-to-complete-advanced-imaging-constellation/ ↩