Maxar Technologies leads the way as an American space tech company. It came together in 2017 through a big merger and now runs under private equity, split into two main divisions.
They serve both government and commercial clients around the globe. Their specialties are advanced satellite tech and top-tier Earth observation.
Back in October 2017, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) bought DigitalGlobe and rebranded as Maxar Technologies. That merger instantly created one of the largest geospatial intelligence players in the world.
Maxar hit some bumps early on. In 2018, satellite manufacturing revenue dropped, and stock prices tanked. Then, in January 2019, they lost the WorldView-4 satellite, which forced them to restructure their debt.
Advent International bought Maxar in May 2023 for $6.4 billion, all cash. That deal took Maxar private after several years trading on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
In 2020, Maxar sold off MDA’s Canadian assets to Northern Private Capital for about $1 billion. That move separated the original MDA operations from Maxar’s core satellite intelligence business.
Maxar grabbed global headlines in 2022 by providing satellite imagery of Russian military activity during the Ukraine conflict. Oddly enough, in March 2025, the Trump administration stepped in and asked Maxar to cut off Ukraine’s access to that satellite data.
Maxar splits its operations into two main business units, a structure they set up in September 2023. Maxar Space Systems builds satellites in Palo Alto, California. Maxar Intelligence runs Earth observation services from Westminster, Colorado.
They employ around 2,600 people as of December 2024. In 2022, Maxar pulled in $1.61 billion in revenue but also reported a net loss of $150 million.
Advent International now owns Maxar, backing their operations and growth with private equity. Their headquarters remains in Westminster, Colorado, the same spot they picked after the 2017 merger.
Maxar holds assets totaling $4.61 billion and $1.39 billion in equity as of 2022. Their two-division setup lets them focus on satellite manufacturing and intelligence services for different markets.
Daniel Smoot sits at the top as President and CEO, steering corporate strategy and daily operations. He also leads the Maxar Intelligence division in Colorado.
Chris Johnson heads up Maxar Space Systems as CEO of the satellite manufacturing arm out in California. This dual-CEO approach matches their two main business lines.
The executive team includes Arvind Srinivasan as CTO and Mike Mohn as CFO. Anat Gan Eden leads human resources.
This leadership setup brings specialized expertise to each business unit but keeps the overall company connected. It works well for Maxar’s broad range of activities, from building satellites to delivering geospatial intelligence for government and commercial clients.
Maxar Technologies runs two main business units. These serve global government and commercial clients.
Maxar Intelligence handles Earth observation data and geospatial insights. Maxar Space Systems designs and manufactures satellites and spacecraft components for all sorts of missions.
Maxar Intelligence collects and analyzes Earth observation data using advanced satellite technology. They operate a fleet of high-res satellites, including the WorldView Legion series, which snaps images at a sharp 30-centimeter resolution.
This division keeps a massive archive—over 125 petabytes of satellite data. That’s enough to build detailed 2D and 3D models of Earth’s surface.
Key capabilities include:
Maxar Intelligence works with national security agencies, disaster response teams, and urban planners. Their tech really shined during global events, offering transparency with up-to-date satellite imagery.
Their AI-driven software helps customers keep an eye on critical areas and spot patterns for predictive intelligence.
Maxar Space Systems focuses on building spacecraft, satellites, and space tech components. With more than 60 years of experience, they’ve built over 300 spacecraft, racking up more than 2,900 years of combined time in orbit.
Right now, they support over 80 active communications satellites. Maxar Space Systems creates platforms like the Maxar 1300™ series, which adapts to a range of missions—from communications to deep space.
Major projects include:
The division plays a key role in NASA’s Artemis program, building crucial infrastructure for lunar missions. Maxar Space Systems keeps expanding its manufacturing to meet the demands of both commercial and government space programs.
Maxar Technologies delivers the highest-resolution commercial satellite imagery available. Their advanced constellation of 10 imaging satellites and a 125+ petabyte archive give them decades of Earth observation data.
They serve a wide range of industries with sharp geospatial intelligence.
Maxar runs the most advanced commercial Earth observation constellation out there. They deliver native 30 cm resolution imagery, and with some processing, they get down to 15 cm high-def.
This top-tier resolution gives clearer, more detailed images, which are key for decision-making in both government and commercial settings.
Their satellites capture data in several spectral bands, including shortwave infrared. This lets them see beyond visible light—checking vegetation health, identifying materials, seeing through smoke, spotting fires, and mapping minerals.
Maxar’s imaging systems hit impressive positional accuracy, usually within 5 meters CE90. That means the imagery lines up closely with actual Earth coordinates, which is crucial for applications that need pinpoint accuracy.
Their high-res satellite imagery supports dozens of industries. Defense and intelligence agencies count on Maxar’s data for national security, while commercial sectors use it for things like telecom planning, mapping, and operational monitoring.
Maxar manages the world’s largest commercial satellite imagery archive, with over 125 petabytes of historical data. It’s basically a time machine for Earth, documenting changes on a global scale over decades.
Organizations tap into this huge database to check baseline ground conditions before starting new projects. The archive helps with change detection, environmental monitoring, and spotting long-term trends anywhere on the planet.
Maxar’s daily coverage adds fresh data to the archive, so users get both current and historical imagery. That combo lets people track changes over time, from city growth to environmental shifts.
The archive covers the globe with consistent quality and standardized formats. Users can pull up imagery for specific areas, whether they’re looking at a city block or an entire region.
Maxar’s commercial satellite imagery powers all sorts of applications. Energy companies use it for infrastructure monitoring and resource exploration. Telecom providers rely on it for network planning and site selection.
Machine learning and AI thrive on Maxar’s high-quality data. That consistent resolution and spectral info help automated systems find patterns and pull out insights at scale.
Government agencies use Maxar’s imagery for national security, disaster response, and compliance monitoring. The data speeds up emergency operations and helps verify compliance during critical situations.
Mapping applications range from tiny site surveys to massive cartographic projects. Organizations build custom maps with Maxar’s imagery as the base, tailoring geographic products for their specific needs.
Maxar Technologies runs the world’s most advanced commercial Earth observation constellation. They deliver high-res satellite imagery and AI-powered analytics to both government and commercial customers.
They process over 125 petabytes of archived data, turning it into actionable intelligence that supports national security, disaster response, and business operations in 85 countries.
Maxar’s WorldView satellites capture more than 3.8 million square kilometers of high-resolution imagery every day. These satellites use advanced sensors for 30-centimeter resolution images.
Their newest constellation, WorldView Legion, marks a big leap in space-based Earth observation. Customers get near real-time access to the most detailed commercial satellite imagery around.
Maxar’s ground systems process raw satellite data into useful products. These include high-precision basemaps, 3D geospatial content, and even digital twins of Earth.
Their constellation serves a wide range of commercial markets—telecom, energy, mapping, and more. Many people probably use Maxar’s imagery without even realizing it, especially when using rideshare apps or mobile map services.
Maxar’s AI-powered software transforms petabytes of satellite data into actionable intelligence. They combine change detection, object identification, and predictive analytics to give organizations the insights they need to tackle tough challenges.
Government customers lean heavily on these capabilities for national security. Maxar provides about 90 percent of the foundational geospatial intelligence used by the U.S. government to support military operations and protect troops.
Media outlets often use Maxar’s imagery analysis to bring transparency during global events. News organizations access satellite imagery and expert analysis to cover conflicts, natural disasters, and other big stories.
Maxar’s intelligence solutions pull in data from more than just optical imagery. Recent partnerships give them dedicated access to synthetic aperture radar data, so they can monitor Earth even through clouds or at night.
Maxar runs multiple satellite systems that capture high-res Earth imagery for commercial and government clients. Their current constellation works alongside the next-gen WorldView Legion satellites to give global coverage.
Right now, Maxar operates five electro-optical Earth imaging satellites. These are the backbone of their commercial imagery services.
WorldView-3, launched in August 2014, flies at 617 kilometers altitude. It delivers 0.31-meter panchromatic resolution and 1.24-meter multispectral resolution. The satellite also grabs short-wave infrared imagery at 3.7-meter resolution, plus CAVIS data at 30-meter resolution.
Their constellation collects over 3 million square kilometers of new high-res imagery every day. All this data adds to Maxar’s 125+ petabyte archive, which covers more than two decades.
Each satellite delivers images with positional accuracy within 5 meters of the true ground location. That level of precision supports everything from infrastructure monitoring to emergency response planning.
WorldView Legion is Maxar’s next-generation satellite constellation. It features six cutting-edge imaging satellites.
Engineers designed the first satellites in this group to capture Earth’s most active areas more often and with sharper detail than older systems.
This constellation takes images at 29-centimeter resolution for panchromatic shots and 1.24-meter resolution for multispectral data. That’s the best commercial satellite image quality you can get right now.
When Maxar combines WorldView Legion with its other satellites, customers can check out certain areas up to 15 times per day. Each satellite in the Legion covers about 700,000 square kilometers every day—think the size of Texas.
Maxar will boost its daily imagery collection from 3 million to 5 million square kilometers with this constellation. Building and launching the WorldView Legion satellites cost $600 million, which is actually less than the $800 million spent on Maxar’s last big satellite.
The system covers the globe from sunrise to sunset and shrinks the time windows needed to collect data. That’s a big deal for things like maritime surveillance, emergency response, and keeping an eye on infrastructure.
Maxar Technologies offers a wide range of geospatial solutions through cloud-based platforms and specialized data products.
The company delivers high-resolution satellite imagery, 3D Earth models, and foundational mapping data. These tools power critical decisions for many industries.
Maxar creates detailed basemaps that support mapping apps all over the world. They blend multiple satellite images into seamless, high-res layers.
Users get these basemaps through the Maxar Geospatial Platform (MGP). The platform streams images straight into apps, so you don’t have to download giant files.
Basemaps come in several resolutions. The standard ones cover the world at 30-centimeter resolution, while premium basemaps offer 15-centimeter detail in important cities.
Fresh satellite captures keep these basemaps up to date. Users can always work with current info for planning and analysis.
A lot of popular mapping services depend on Maxar’s basemap data. You’ll see their imagery in navigation apps, real estate tools, and government systems.
Maxar builds a detailed digital twin of Earth by constantly monitoring and collecting satellite data. This virtual model captures both the permanent features and the changes happening everywhere.
The digital twin brings together different data types in one model. Satellite images add visual detail, and elevation data fills in the terrain.
Machine learning systems process new satellite data automatically. They spot things like new buildings, growing vegetation, or changes in infrastructure.
Users can query the digital twin to see how places change over time. The platform keeps historical records that go back several years.
Government agencies use this tech for disaster response and city planning. Commercial clients rely on it for supply chain monitoring and risk assessment.
Maxar creates three-dimensional geospatial products that add depth to satellite imagery. These solutions build realistic models of buildings, terrain, and infrastructure.
They generate 3D models using stereo satellite imagery. By capturing images from different angles, they get accurate elevation measurements.
Professional users bring these models into simulation software and planning tools. Architecture firms can see how new buildings would fit into a city.
Defense groups use 3D geospatial data for mission planning and threat assessment. These models give a tactical edge with detailed terrain info.
Maxar offers both standard 3D products and custom modeling. Clients pick the areas they care about for detailed 3D reconstructions to match their needs.
Maxar Space Systems designs and builds spacecraft platforms of all sizes—from small modular satellites to huge telecom systems.
The company also manufactures crucial parts like robotic arms and propulsion systems. They’re developing advanced on-orbit servicing to make satellites last longer.
Maxar builds essential spacecraft components for both government and commercial missions. Their expertise covers communication systems, robotics, power generation, and propulsion.
Robotic Systems are a core part of Maxar’s lineup. They’ve built six robotic arms for NASA, including the Sample Handling Assembly on the Perseverance rover. These precise tools handle soil samples and tough tasks in space.
The company makes high-power solar electric propulsion systems for deep space missions. The Psyche spacecraft, for example, relies on Maxar’s propulsion to travel over a billion miles to a metal-rich asteroid. This tech keeps working even when sunlight is weak.
Power and communications modules are another big deal. Maxar is building the Power and Propulsion Element for NASA’s lunar Gateway station. It’s the most powerful electric propulsion system ever sent to space.
The Maxar 300 series is their most modular spacecraft bus design. These platforms support fast production and high manufacturing rates for satellite constellations.
Maxar develops spacecraft that can service satellites already in orbit, instead of just replacing them. This extends missions and helps cut down on space junk through active satellite maintenance.
The OSAM-1 spacecraft shows off Maxar’s servicing abilities. This vehicle will meet up with government satellites to refuel and move them. It uses Maxar’s Dexterous Robot (SPIDER) arm for precise tasks.
Grasping and refueling systems let service spacecraft dock safely with different satellites. Maxar’s tech can handle lots of designs and fuel ports. The systems operate on their own, reducing risks.
On-orbit assembly opens up new ways to build big structures in space. The OSAM-1 mission will test manufacturing techniques needed for future lunar missions. These tools support NASA’s Artemis program.
Service missions can extend satellite life by 5–15 years. That usually costs much less than launching a new satellite. Commercial operators get more revenue from longer service periods.
Maxar builds full telecommunications satellites that provide global coverage. Their platforms support both commercial and government networks.
Commercial satellite systems include the SXM-10 satellite for SiriusXM radio. These platforms deliver entertainment and data to millions across North America. High-power transponders make sure signals are clear.
The Maxar 1300 series is the base for many telecom missions. This reliable platform supports different payloads and power needs. Operators can tweak systems for specific coverage.
Government communications satellites offer secure data links for defense. Maxar builds platforms that resist jamming and interception. These systems back up military operations worldwide.
Constellation manufacturing lets Maxar build many identical satellites quickly. They’re producing 14 spacecraft for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer. This group will track hypersonic missiles and other threats.
Their manufacturing facilities can turn out satellites at industrial scale while keeping quality high. With 60 years of experience, Maxar delivers reliable performance in tough space environments.
Maxar Technologies works closely with U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, supplying satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence. The company landed $202 million in government contracts in Q1 2022 alone, covering 27 awards for nine federal clients.
Maxar partners with eight Department of Defense and Intelligence Community organizations. These collaborations focus on artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and software for national security.
They provide 90% of the commercial satellite imagery used for foundational geospatial intelligence by the U.S. government. This coverage supports decision-making across agencies and departments.
Their work with the National Reconnaissance Office gives government users access to trusted, high-res commercial satellite images. The partnership supports ongoing operations and strategic planning.
Contract work includes data conditioning, geospatial production, dissemination, and maritime domain awareness. Training and development are also part of these government relationships.
Maxar’s defense tech backs multi-domain combat capabilities through partnerships with defense contractors like Saab. Together, they integrate Maxar’s satellite imagery and 3D data into military products for better operational effectiveness.
Their Raptor navigation technology acts as a GPS alternative for military use. This system uses detailed 3D models from Maxar’s satellite imagery to guide unmanned systems.
Intelligence agencies depend on Maxar’s monitoring and change detection for real-time awareness. The satellite constellation delivers continuous coverage for tracking global events and threats.
Maxar’s geospatial intelligence gives defense customers precise location data and analytical insights. These tools help with informed decisions for national security and defense planning.
Maxar’s commercial satellite tech helps businesses around the world with advanced Earth observation and space infrastructure. Companies in many sectors use high-res satellite imagery and geospatial data to streamline operations, cut costs, and stay ahead.
Maxar’s commercial satellite imagery is changing how businesses handle location-based services and geographic analysis. Companies in logistics, real estate, and transportation use high-res satellite data to make accurate maps and improve routing.
Ride-sharing platforms use Maxar’s imagery to boost their navigation algorithms. The data highlights road conditions, traffic, and infrastructure changes in real time.
Real estate firms analyze satellite imagery to assess property values and spot development opportunities. Aerial views show land use, nearby amenities, and environmental factors that affect prices.
Telecommunications providers use Maxar’s mapping data to plan network expansions. Satellite images reveal population density, terrain challenges, and existing infrastructure for tower placement.
Mining and oil companies rely on geospatial intelligence to find possible extraction sites. The data uncovers geological features and environmental conditions before they send teams on the ground.
News organizations worldwide turn to Maxar’s commercial satellite imagery to verify breaking stories and show visual proof of events. Major broadcasters use this data to display disasters, conflicts, and infrastructure changes as they unfold.
TV networks bring real-time satellite feeds into their coverage. This lets journalists show viewers exact locations and changes over time, without risking crews in dangerous spots.
Documentary producers tap into archived satellite imagery to tell stories about environmental change and city growth. The historical data goes back decades, showing dramatic shifts across the globe.
Sports broadcasters use satellite tech to give aerial views of big events like the Olympics or World Cup. The images help viewers grasp venue layouts and surrounding areas.
Marketing agencies use satellite data to make eye-catching visuals for clients. The imagery highlights business locations, development projects, and regional context to boost promotional materials.
Commercial groups team up with emergency services to provide critical satellite intelligence during disasters and humanitarian crises. Maxar’s rapid response delivers updated images within hours after major events.
Insurance companies assess damage claims after hurricanes, floods, and wildfires with satellite data. The technology gives objective proof of property damage and speeds up claims.
Logistics companies monitor supply chain disruptions through satellite imagery. They check port status, road closures, and facility damage to reroute shipments and keep things moving.
Energy companies use commercial satellite technology to monitor pipelines and power grids after storms. The data helps prioritize repairs and restore services faster.
Agricultural businesses depend on satellite monitoring to check crop damage and plan recovery. The imagery shows which areas are affected and helps with insurance claims and replanting.
Maxar Technologies pushes forward with space robotics innovations and geospatial intelligence breakthroughs. Their research shapes commercial space infrastructure and Earth observation for both government and business.
Maxar has really changed mission autonomy and cost efficiency in space. Their robotic systems let spacecraft handle tricky operations on their own, without always waiting for ground control.
These systems cut down on mission costs and boost reliability. Maxar’s satellite imagery tech delivers sharp Earth observation data, powered by AI-driven analytics.
Their satellites snap detailed images for everything from city planning to disaster response. Advanced data processing turns raw feeds into something you can actually use.
Maxar keeps communications secure for government and commercial clients. Their satellites offer reliable data transmission for critical operations.
This tech helps people make decisions in real time, thanks to constant Earth monitoring. They focus on sustainable space operations, aiming to shrink the environmental footprint of space activity.
Maxar tries to encourage responsible practices across the aerospace sector. It’s a work in progress, but it’s clear they’re taking it seriously.
Maxar’s geospatial intelligence lets organizations track global changes as they happen. Government agencies rely on their satellite data for national security.
Commercial clients use the same tech for business intelligence and planning. Their space infrastructure solutions support the growing commercial space economy.
Maxar satellites provide vital services for telecommunications and navigation. These capabilities open space up to new players.
Their Earth observation tech helps track environmental changes and climate patterns. Scientists use their data to study deforestation, urban expansion, and natural disasters.
This information supports research and policy decisions around the world. Maxar’s patents show their commitment to leading with innovation.
Their intellectual property covers satellite systems and data processing. These patents protect new ideas and help set industry standards.
In 2023, private equity firm Advent International acquired Maxar Technologies for $6.4 billion. British Columbia Investment Management Corporation joined in as a minority investor, taking Maxar private.
Advent International wrapped up its purchase of Maxar Technologies in 2023, paying $53.00 per share in cash. The deal valued the space technology company at about $6.4 billion.
Based in Boston, Advent manages $92 billion in assets (as of 2022). The firm runs 15 offices across 12 countries, with over 290 private equity investment professionals.
Advent focuses on business and financial services, health care, industrial, retail consumer and leisure, and technology. They know their way around defense, security and cybersecurity investments, plus critical national infrastructure projects.
After the acquisition, Maxar left the New York and Toronto stock exchanges. The company no longer reports publicly.
Advent structured the deal to keep Maxar a U.S.-controlled, owned and operated company. That move preserves Maxar’s eligibility for sensitive government contracts and national security programs.
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) took the minority investor role alongside Advent. BCI manages C$211.1 billion, making it one of Canada’s biggest institutional investors.
BCI runs a C$24.8 billion global private equity portfolio, focusing on private companies with long-term growth potential. Their sector-focused teams cover business services, consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, industrials, and technology.
Based in Vancouver, BCI also has offices in Victoria and New York City. They invest directly and co-invest with strategic private equity partners.
By joining the Maxar deal, BCI sticks to its strategy of partnering with established private equity firms for large-scale tech acquisitions. The corporation looks for investments that turn savings into productive capital, aiming for specific risk and return goals over the long haul.
Maxar Technologies works across satellite imagery, geospatial analytics, and spacecraft manufacturing. They support customers with technical teams and offer several specialized platforms.
Maxar delivers satellite imagery through the Enhanced API (eAPI) platform. This system gives commercial and government clients access to System Ready 1B imagery products.
They operate two main divisions: Maxar Intelligence and Maxar Space Systems. Maxar Intelligence handles Earth observation data and analytics.
Maxar Space Systems builds spacecraft and satellite parts. This division creates communication satellites and space infrastructure for different missions.
They also offer Analysis Ready Data (ARD) services. These products come processed and ready for immediate use in analysis projects.
Maxar runs a constellation of high-res Earth observation satellites. These satellites capture detailed images for many applications.
They process raw satellite data into intelligence products. Clients use this info for disaster response, city planning, and environmental monitoring.
Maxar’s geospatial analytics help governments track changes on Earth’s surface. The technology spots patterns in agriculture, infrastructure, and disasters.
The Electro-Optical Commercial Layer (EOCL) License governs most of Maxar’s commercial imagery distribution. This replaced the old NextView License in June 2022.
Maxar teams up with government agencies on national security projects. They provide satellite imagery for defense and intelligence uses.
They also partner with commercial clients in agriculture, energy, and telecommunications. These partnerships let Maxar work across industries.
Maxar helps with disaster response by quickly collecting satellite imagery. Emergency management agencies use this data during crises.
They work with the Polar Geospatial Center on mapping projects. These focus on polar regions and climate research.
Maxar designs and builds communication satellites for commercial operators. These satellites power global telecommunications and internet services.
They develop advanced satellite imaging technology. Their systems capture sharp images from space with better clarity and coverage.
Maxar manufactures spacecraft for various missions. Their technology supports both Earth observation and deep space projects.
This dual-use approach pushes forward different areas of space science and exploration. It’s impressive how much ground they cover.
Maxar’s Enhanced API platform is their current way of distributing imagery. The system lets users access satellite data quickly through automation.
They switched to the EOCL licensing framework for commercial imagery sales. This change opens new doors for customers who want high-res satellite data.
Maxar keeps expanding their Analysis Ready Data services. These products help clients spend less time processing and more time analyzing imagery.
Their technical support team is available during standard business hours. You can reach them at 1-866-810-2297 or by email.
Maxar uses technical support systems to help customers access their data securely. They put together dedicated support teams for each product line and licensing need.
You need the right credentials and authentication to get into Maxar’s systems. When you first log in, you get temporary credentials, but you have to change them right away to keep everything safe.
They work under strict government licensing frameworks, which include built-in security rules. The EOCL License, for example, spells out exactly how data should be handled and shared.
Maxar runs separate support channels for each product category. By doing this, they keep sensitive information compartmentalized and better protected for each client group.
