Maxar Technologies

History

2024: NASA cancels multibillion-dollar contract with Maxar to develop technology to refuel withdrawn satellites due to non-compliance with deadlines and excess costs

In March 2024, NASA canceled a multi-billion dollar contract with Maxar for the development of fueling technology for withdrawn satellites due to non-compliance with deadlines and excessive costs.

The idea itself has been in the heads of designers for a long time: it is the fuel reserves that most often determine the active life of the device - as they expire, it loses the ability to adjust the orbit and perform the target function. Therefore, the development of the "space refueling" technology will be able to significantly increase their operating time up to twofold growth. This is especially true for piece and expensive reconnaissance vehicles, which sometimes have to spend fuel for interorbital maneuvers.

In practice, however, it is not yet possible to implement the plan even with the involvement of private contractors: according to NASA representatives, Maxar underestimated the scale and complexity of the work, and also did not have a complete understanding of technical requirements and expert knowledge.

However, in any case, this is a very promising technology - from 2025, American military vehicles will equip PRM refueling ports, and in parallel, the US Space Force oversees the development of the GAS-T orbital tanker.

Successes in the creation of such satellites will make an additional contribution to the process of militarization of space, wrote "Rybar."

2022: Advent International buys Maxar Technologies for $6.4 billion

On December 16, 2022, the provider of complex space solutions and geospatial data Maxar Technologies announced the conclusion of a deal for its sale with Advent International.

Under the terms of the contract, Advent agreed to purchase all outstanding ordinary shares of Maxar at a price of $53. This is approximately 129% more than the value of Maxar securities as of December 15, 2022, the last full trading day before this announcement: then the shares were worth $23.1. In addition, this transaction assumes a premium of approximately 34% compared to Maxar's 52-week maximum value of securities. Thus, the total amount of the transaction will be $6.4 billion. The acquisition will be completed in mid-2023 after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.

Satellite operator Maxar Technologies sold for $6.4 billion

The merger will reportedly benefit both sides. As a private company, Maxar will be able to increase investments in next-generation satellite technology and data analytics systems that are required by government and commercial customers. "Strategic mergers and acquisitions" are also planned to further expand the range of the company's solutions. This includes, in particular, the development of a satellite constellation, Legion accelerating the launch of Legion 7 and 8 satellites, and further strengthening the Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure (observation Lands and space infrastructure) business. The introduction of advanced technologies, such as machine learning 3D mapping, is being prepared.

From our point of view, Maxar is a unique and attractive asset in the field of satellite production and high-resolution space images. We are firmly convinced of the growing need for differentiated solutions that Maxar offers, and our goal is to invest in expanding the Maxar satellite constellation, as well as supporting the Maxar team in terms of innovation, says Advent.[1]

Notes