MDA, a leading technology and services provider for the global space industry, announced its partnership with SpaceX for the launch of its next-generation Earth observation constellation, CHORUS. The launch is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2025 and will take place in Florida using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
CHORUS aims to provide a new level of near real-time Earth observation services by operating in a unique mid-inclination orbit. The constellation will offer daily access to up to 95% of its coverage area, imaging day or night, irrespective of weather conditions.
“The Earth is big, dynamic and evolving daily, and our ability to see, measure and analyze what is happening in near real-time is imperative,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA, in a statement on Wednesday. MDA is based in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
The constellation will support a range of applications, including national security, detection of illegal activities like overfishing and deforestation, and monitoring of critical infrastructure. It will also provide timely information for humanitarian aid and disaster response. CHORUS is designed to offer advanced Earth observation services aided by machine learning and artificial intelligence.
MDA has a history of collaboration with SpaceX; it became the first commercial customer to launch on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in 2013. CHORUS will be MDA’s fourth-generation Earth observation mission, following its internationally recognized RADARSAT program.
