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For Immediate Release: January 28, 2010
Contact: Wendy Keyzer
MDA External Relations
(604) 231-2743
wendy@mdacorporation.com

RADARSAT-2 images used to monitor Haitian disaster to assess and support rescue and rehabilitation efforts

Richmond, B.C. – MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that its space-based imagery is being used to assess damage and direct relief efforts to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince from the January 12, 2010 earthquake.

MDA has provided imagery acquired by the RADARSAT-2 satellite over Haiti in support of disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts by the Canadian Government and relief agencies through the Canadian Space Agency’s participation in the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters”. The first imagery covering the main stricken areas of Port-au-Prince was acquired on January 14, 2010 with more images to be acquired over the next coming days and posted on the MDA website for immediate download (http://gs.mdacorporation.com/)

When a natural disaster of the magnitude experienced in Haiti occurs, there is an urgent need to identify major changes on the ground. Satellite imagery acquired immediately after the event provides updated views of how the landscape has changed and the extent of damage to critical infrastructure such as buildings, roads, and airports. These images can be compared with satellite imagery taken before the event to help identify areas that have been hit hardest by the disaster, determine passable routes for aid workers, as well as safe areas suitable for establishing aid camps to provide medical support and shelter.

Click here to view the images

Launched in 2007, RADARSAT-2 is the world’s most advanced commercial C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite. RADARSAT-2 offers new imaging capabilities and a faster turn-around schedule for data acquisition and product delivery. It provides enhanced information for applications such as environmental monitoring, ice mapping, resource mapping, disaster management, and marine surveillance. RADARSAT-2’s ability to collect imagery independent of darkness or inclement atmospheric conditions is a valuable support during times of emergency to supplement airborne and ground resources for local and regional damage assessment.

About MDA

MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, produce essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide.

Focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, MDA delivers a broad spectrum of information solutions, ranging from complex operational systems, to tailored information services, to electronic information products.

MDA employs more than 3,200 people in locations across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Company’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TSX:MDA.

Related Websites

www.mdacorporation.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. with respect to future events and financial performance. Any such forward-looking statements are based on MDA’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and MDA’s actual results of operations could differ materially from historical results or current expectations. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. MDA cautions readers that should certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. The risks that could cause actual results to differ from current expectations include satellite failure.

For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors reference should be made to MDA’s continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available online at www.sedar.com or on MDA’s website at www.mdacorporation.com.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release.



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