MDA Space Advances Gateway Robotic Arm Development

MDA Space is proceeding with the development of the Canadarm3 robotic arm system despite a United States budget proposal that seeks to cancel the lunar Gateway. In earnings calls held on May 7 and May 8, 2026, company executives confirmed they are continuing work on the project while coordinating with the Canadian Space Agency to determine how the technology will fit into a shifting lunar exploration strategy.

The decision to maintain development comes after NASA announced in March 2026 that it was effectively canceling the Gateway to prioritize the establishment of a lunar base. Canadarm3 represents Canada’s primary contribution to the Gateway project, which also involves contributions from NASA and partners in Japan, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates.

Mike Greenley, the chief executive of MDA Space, stated that the company is working full steam ahead on the robotic arm. He noted that the project team is continuing to execute according to the original plan to reach final designs for the system.

Greenley characterized the recent shifts in the Artemis mission as a strategic realignment.

The recent changes to the Artemis mission are part of a renewed focus on accelerating a return to the lunar surface and driving increased momentum for our robotics capabilities,

Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space

The company is currently in discussions with the Canadian Space Agency to redefine the requirements for the robotic systems to ensure they support the new phase of lunar exploration. Greenley indicated there is positive intent to find a solution, suggesting that the capabilities developed for the Gateway could potentially be pivoted toward operations on the lunar surface.

Financial Commitments and Contractual Status

The financial scale of the project remains significant. In June 2024, MDA Space received a contract valued at 1 billion Canadian dollars for the Phase C and D development of Canadarm3. This followed an earlier contract awarded in 2020 for the initial stages of the project.

MDA Space estimates that less than 900 million Canadian dollars of that specific contract remains. The Canadarm3 project is part of a larger overall backlog for MDA Space totaling 4.8 billion Canadian dollars.

Regarding the uncertainty of the U.S. Budget process, Greenley noted that the proposal to cancel the Gateway is only the beginning of an appropriations process that may extend through most of 2026. He explained that for the company, the immediate priority for 2025 and beyond is to continue advancing the robotic system while the budget process unfolds in the background.

Strategic Context of Canada’s Lunar Contribution

Canada’s involvement in the Gateway began in 2019 when the government announced its intention to provide the robotic arm to NASA. In exchange for this contribution, Canada secured seats on two Artemis missions. This agreement included the assignment of Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen to the Artemis 2 mission.

The potential repurposing of Canadarm3 technology is seen as a viable path forward should the White House’s budget proposal to cancel the Gateway be enacted. Because the technology is designed for complex external operations in a lunar environment, MDA Space believes the systems can be adapted for other lunar activities, regardless of whether they are based on an orbiting station or a surface base.

Greenley emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency to ensure the technology remains relevant:

We continue discussions with the Canadian Space Agency on redefining the Canadarm3 robotic systems that will be required to support this new and exciting phase of moon exploration.

Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space