4 minute read•Updated 12:16 PM EDT, Wed April 2, 2025
In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the fast-growing non-geostationary satellite market, Canadian aerospace firm MDA Space has announced plans to acquire Israeli chipmaker SatixFy in a $269 million deal. The acquisition is aimed at deepening MDA’s vertical integration as the company scales up production of its next-generation software-defined satellites, which can be reprogrammed in orbit to support evolving mission needs.
Strengthening the Supply Chain
MDA CEO Mike Greenley described the acquisition as a crucial step in solidifying the company’s supply chain resilience, especially as it gears up to mass-produce up to two satellites per day.
“SatixFy brings us cutting-edge chip technology and a highly specialized team that will directly contribute to the speed, flexibility, and performance of our satellite platforms” - Mike Greenley, MDA CEO
SatixFy is already an established partner to MDA, having sold its U.K.-based satellite payload division to the Canadian firm in 2023. That previous transaction helped MDA gain critical payload manufacturing capabilities, which the new acquisition now extends into semiconductor design—a vital component of software-defined space systems.
A Deep-Tech Acquisition
Founded in 2012, SatixFy has invested approximately $270 million in research and development over the past decade and holds over 60 patents, with more pending. Its workforce includes around 165 specialized engineers and technical staff, whose expertise spans satellite chipsets, multi-beam digital antennas, gateways, user terminals, and broadband modems.
This acquisition will fold that IP and talent directly into MDA’s operations, giving the Canadian manufacturer a decisive technological edge in building reconfigurable satellites for both commercial and government customers.
Terms of the Deal
Under the agreement—unanimously approved by the boards of both companies—MDA will acquire all outstanding SatixFy shares for $2.10 per share, totaling about $193 million in equity value. This represents a 75% premium over SatixFy’s share price as of March 31.
Additionally, MDA has committed to pay off $76 million in SatixFy’s existing debt, bringing the full cash consideration to approximately $269 million.
SatixFy shareholders have until May 16 to solicit alternative acquisition proposals under a 45-day “go-shop” clause included in the agreement. The deal remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, with a targeted close in the third quarter of 2025.
From SPAC Stardom to Strategic Sale
SatixFy went public in 2022 through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) during the waning phase of investor enthusiasm for space-related public offerings. Though its shares initially soared to $10, they soon declined following missed revenue targets and supply chain disruptions, which hindered its ability to scale.
MDA’s acquisition offers a lifeline—and a growth platform—for SatixFy’s advanced technology and engineering talent.
Accelerating the Aurora Platform
The deal also underpins MDA’s broader strategy to become a full-stack manufacturer for non-geostationary satellite constellations. The company, traditionally a subcontractor known for its antennas, robotics, and Radarsat Earth observation missions, pivoted to full satellite manufacturing about five years ago to meet growing demand for broadband and connectivity constellations.
In 2022, MDA secured its first major win with an order from Telesat, which plans to deploy nearly 200 satellites using MDA’s software-defined Aurora platform starting in 2026.
In February 2025, MDA also confirmed it is building more than 50 Aurora-based satellites for Globalstar, part of a project to expand Apple’s satellite connectivity services.
The SatixFy acquisition marks another bold move in MDA’s transformation from a component supplier to a global leader in satellite system integration. As constellation operators seek more agile, scalable, and software-driven platforms, MDA is positioning itself to be at the center of a new era in space communications.
If approved, the transaction will not only bolster MDA’s production capabilities—it could redefine the competitive landscape in a market increasingly driven by vertical integration, in-orbit flexibility, and rapid deployment.
