COM DEV wins micro-satellite contract

COM DEV International Ltd has received an $8.6-million contract to design, build and launch a Maritime Monitoring and Messaging Micro-satellite to demonstrate the capability of the company's automatic identification system (AIS) technology. The contract was jointly issued by Defence Research and Development Canada and the Canadian Space Agency. COM DEV specializes in space sub systems and is one of Canada's oldest satellite manufacturers. If the AIS technology is successfully demonstrated, it will provide unparalleled and unprecedented views of global shipping traffic. A launch is anticipated in 2010….