MDA Space Completes Inaugural External Client Test After Reopening the David Florida Laboratory

In June 2025, MDA Space took over stewardship of the David Florida Laboratory (DFL), relaunching the world‑class spacecraft assembly, integration and testing (AIT) centre for the entire Canadian space ecosystem. The lab, renowned for decades of supporting historic missions, now offers fully operational structural, thermal and RF test capabilities and has already delivered on tests for external clients.

The David Florida Laboratory’s Return

Since being handed the keys, we’ve marked a series of key milestones:

• Completed successful knowledge hand-off: the DFL structural, thermal and radio frequency (RF) test facilities have completed productive knowledge transfers and initial operator training exercises with the support of former Canadian Space Agency (CSA) DFL employees. This program transferred critical knowledge across our network, including employees from different MDA Space sites participating in an intensive Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) Chamber training campaign.
• Achieved the first external client test: In November 2025, we completed the first external test of a flight unit in the TVAC Chamber.
• Attracted growing interest across Canada and beyond: Since announcing DFL’s return, we have received a flood of inquiries from Canadian space companies, Canadian universities, government and defence agencies, the aerospace sector and even international requests. This growing interest highlights the importance of DFL as a vital resource for the Canadian space industry.

Together these milestones demonstrate DFL’s renewed capacity to support both legacy and emerging Canadian space initiatives.

The Team Driving the David Florida Laboratory’s Success

The rapid re-opening and success of the David Florida Laboratory would not have been possible without the dedicated team behind the scenes. Tibet Erkan, Production Manager at DFL, has overseen the day-to-day operations and client relations since MDA Space took over the lab in June 2025. Under her leadership, the MDA Space team at DFL has grown, with each addition bringing years of experience to the table.

Among them is Chris Olsen, member of MDA Space’s Technical Staff and a DFL veteran. Over the past 16 years, Chris has contributed to a wide range of programs at DFL, including RADARSAT-2, giving him a deep understanding of the lab’s capabilities and processes. Reflecting on the evolution of DFL, Chris says, “Recently, it has become even more apparent to me just how unique and capable DFL has proven to be. The little details add up, and the fact that we can do AIT all under one roof provides a significant advantage.”

In addition to the permanent staff, the facility relies on a dedicated support group of specialists who provide expertise in thermal, vibration, RF and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) areas, ensuring that every project receives the full breadth of technical support it needs. Together, Tibet, Chris and the rest of the team continue to drive the lab’s excellence. 

The Legacy of the David Florida Laboratory

Established in 1972, this Canadian space testing facility has been instrumental in the development of some of the nation’s most iconic space missions, including the Communications Technology Satellite (also known as CTS or HERMES), many of the Anik satellites (Canadian communications satellites), SCISAT (an atmospheric research satellite) and Canada’s contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope, the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS).

MDA Space’s relationship with the lab dates back to these early days, having worked closely with the DFL team on the integration and testing of Earth observation satellites RADARSAT-1, RADARSAT-2 and the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). These satellites provide high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images for many applications including environmental monitoring and maritime domain awareness. The facility has also been used to test other notable MDA Space-led missions, including Canadarm, Canadarm2, and Sapphire, Canada’s first dedicated military space surveillance satellite.

Reserve a Test Slot at Canada’s Premier Space Facility

As the global space market continues to rapidly grow, the David Florida Laboratory will continue to play a critical role in supporting the development of Canada’s space industry and its advanced space technologies. We’re committed to building on DFL’s legacy to ensure it remains a vibrant and accessible resource for all Canadian space companies, from startups to established players.

Learn more about the integration and testing services offered at DFL through our LaunchPad program and reserve your test slot today by contacting us at DFL@mda.space.