Boeing

Representatives of The Boeing Company and MacDonald Dettwiler's wholly owned subsidiary, MD Robotics, today signed a teaming agreement to reinforce their ongoing commitment to the future of the International Space Station (ISS). This agreement establishes the framework for present and future ISS support and represents a shared vision of global cooperation for the two companies.

"MD Robotics and Boeing are actively working together on several projects and this agreement is a natural progression of providing goods and services for the operational phase of ISS," said Brewster Shaw, Boeing ISS vice president and general manager. "MD Robotics brings a unique capability that contributes to our joint vision of the future of ISS."

Under the teaming agreement Boeing and MD Robotics will work cooperatively on an integrated approach for the long-term support of ISS. The agreement comprises a range of logistics activities, robotics system support, and establishes a framework for existing and emerging space-related initiatives.

"We are pleased to be partnered with Boeing for the long-term support of the International Space Station," said Mag Iskander, vice president and general manager of MD Robotics. "Through this strategic partnership our respective expertise in manned space systems will position us to support commercial space markets."

MD Robotics is Canada's leading space robotics company committed to providing hi-tech, sophisticated robotics and engineering solutions for space and terrestrial applications. MD Robotics is the prime contractor to the Canadian Space Agency for the Mobile Servicing System, Canada's contribution to the International Space Station.

Boeing is NASA's prime contractor to design, develop, manufacture and assemble the Space Station. ISS is orbiting overhead - visible from Earth in the night sky. ISS is the largest international space venture ever undertaken and a joint effort of 16 countries. When fully assembled in 2005, it will house a crew of seven - working in 46,000 cubic feet of pressured volume spread across six laboratories, two habitation modules, and two logistics modules.

The most recent flight Zvezda, the Russian Service Module, docked to ISS in July. The first astronaut crew, Expedition One, will be brought to ISS later this year for their three-month stay. The U.S. Laboratory will be launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in early 2001.