Canadian Quantum EncrYption & Science Satellite Project an Important Win for Honeywell

(Space.cq) The Public Works and Government Services Canada posted a contract award notice of $30 million to Honeywell Aerospace from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the Quantum EncrYption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) mission. We then contacted Honeywell for a comment.
It’s an important win for Honeywell in Canada who are well known for manufacturing satellite components, but who aren’t known as a satellite prime contractor. Neptec, now a part of MDA, was favored as having the inside edge for this contract. MDA has a lot of experience in being a satellite prime contractor. However, in the end, the Canadian Space Agency went with the Honeywell concept.
Honeywell will build, test, deliver, provide training for, launch and commission the QEYSSat satellite, which will create a link between ground and space to transmit encryption keys. The work is expected to extend until the end of 2022. Honeywell will be responsible for contracting the launch.