MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Buying Satellite Manufacturer Space Systems/Loral

By Doug Lung
published

Loral Space and Communications announced this week it has reached a definitive agreement to sell Space Systems Loral (SSL) to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA). Companies using SSL satellites include Intelsat, DirecTV, EchoStar, Sirius-XM Radio, SatMex, ViaSat and SES. 

Readers may not be as familiar with MDA. It was formed in 1969 by two British Columbia entrepreneurs, John MacDonald, and Werner Dettwiler with the “objective of providing innovative electronic solutions for complex customer requirements.” On June 24, MDA announced it had been selected to provide the communications payload for an Israeli satellite. Its web page says “MDA's Information Systems are typically turnkey solutions developed around proprietary and purchased technologies and services, tailored to the individual requirements of our military, civilian, and commercial customers.”

Michael B. Targoff, Chief Executive Officer of Loral Space & Communications, commented, “Combining the world-recognized communications capabilities of MDA with SS/L creates a powerful space communications leader and enhances the business prospects, both commercial and government, for each of MDA and SS/L. With this transaction, SS/L’s employees, customers and suppliers should be confident as to the long term prospects and direction for this highly valued contributor to the global communications infrastructure.”

John Celli, President of Space Systems Loral, said, “With this transaction, SS/L’s employees, customers and suppliers should be confident as to the long term prospects and direction for this highly valued contributor to the global communications infrastructure. he combination is a very good strategic fit for both companies. Together, we will be in an even stronger position to support the growth requirements of both new and existing customers.”

The deal has been approved by the Boards of Directors of each company and it is expected to close later this year after receipt of certain regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.