MDA Space Buys Blue Canyon for $620M, Space Brief 20 Jun 2026
MDA Space acquires Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, and NASA's 2028 Aeolus Mars orbiter goes to a California startup instead of SpaceX.
Launch Date
October 14, 1999
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
NORAD ID
26321
International Designator
1999-057HE
Decay Date
5/15/2024
Name
CZ-4B DEB
Alternative Name
deb CZ-4B Y1
Type
Status
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.03
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
MDA Space acquires Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, and NASA's 2028 Aeolus Mars orbiter goes to a California startup instead of SpaceX.
Firefly Aerospace launches return-to-flight Firefly Alpha on March 10 after Flight 6 anomaly. SpaceX also launches EchoStar 25 GEO satellite and multiple Starlink batches this week.
Today's brief highlights the impact of military spending and technology competition on the space economy, new satellite connectivity partnerships, and defense spending pledges in Europe.
SpaceX achieves a remarkable milestone with its 50th Falcon 9 launch of 2025, while Starlink continues to expand, facing competition from China's megaconstellation efforts.
Today's Space Brief covers a crucial weather data decision by the U.S. Defense Department, an innovative power supply for aerospace systems, advancements in satellite link technology, and Norway's maritime surveillance. AI/ML tools for airspace management and concerns about defense testing capabilities are also highlighted.
GPS III SV10 launched April 21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 with 3x better accuracy and 8x anti-jamming. Starlink stands at 10,263 working satellites.
SpaceX successfully launched the SXM-10 satellite for SiriusXM and prepares for the Ax-4 mission to the ISS amid political tensions involving Elon Musk and President Trump.
Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.