Since its creation, the David Florida Laboratory (DFL) has made a substantial
contribution to satellite communications and remote sensing in
Canada and continues to play an essential role in our space
program. As a result of past achievements, the DFL is used as a
facility for the integration and testing of space hardware by
other countries. Here's a list of the main projects the DFL has
taken part in over the past few decades.
| DATE |
EVENT |
NOTES |
| 2001 to 2006 |
RADARSAT-2
Earth Observation Satellite |
Canada's next-generation Earth-observation satellite scheduled for launch in 2006. |
2003 |
MOST |
Canada's astronomical space telescope that studies the Microvariability and Oscillation of
Stars (MOST) |
2003 |
SCISAT 1 |
Canada's terrestrial atmospheric studies satellite |
2002 |
OPTUS C1
Communications Satellite |
Australian communications satellite |
| 2000 to 2001 |
BSAT 2A, BSAT 2B
Communications Satellite |
Japanese direct-to-home television broadcast communications satellite, known as Broadcast Satellite 4 (BS 4) Program. DFL was contracted by Orbital Sciences Corporation for
mass properties measurements and radio frequency functional testing. |
| 1997 |
INDOSTAR
Communications Satellite |
Indonesian direct broadcast communications satellite. Also known as Cakrawarta 1. |
| 1995 to 2004 |
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) |
The MSS is Canada's crucial contribution to the International Space Station
and consists of the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator,
or Dextre, the Space Station Remote Manipulator, or
CANADARM2, and the Mobile Base System . |
| 1992 to 1996 |
MSAT M1 and M2
Mobile Communications Satellites |
Commercial mobile communications satellites. MSAT M2 is also known as AMSC 1 (American Mobile Satellite Corporation 1). |
| 1992 to 1995 |
RADARSAT-1
Earth Observation Satellite |
Canada's first Earth-observation satellite |
| 1988 to 1992 |
ANIK E1 and E2
Communications Satellites |
Replacing the ANIK C and D satellites |
| 1985 to 1989 |
Olympus
Communications Satellite |
Large European Space
Agency (ESA) multipayload communications satellite. Also known as L SAT (Large
Satellite). |
| 1984 to 1985 |
DFL Expansion
High Bay 3 |
In support of testing the
European Space Agency Olympus communications satellite . |
| 1983 to 1986 |
BRASILSAT S1 and S2
Communications Satellites |
First international prime contract. Also known as Brazil's SBTS (Sistema Brasileiro de Telecomunicacoes por Satellite). |
| 1981 to 1982 |
ANIK D1 and D2
Communications Satellites |
First prime contract awarded to a Canadian company |
| 1980 to 1982 |
ANIK C2
Communications Satellite |
Launched by the U.S. Space Shuttle (STS-07) |
| 1979 to 1981 |
DFL Expansion |
First expansion of the DFL's Qualification Facilities to support Canadian prime contractor capability. |
| 1979 to date |
SRMS
CANADARM |
The Shuttle Remote Manipulator System |
| 1972 to 1974 |
HERMES
Communications Satellite |
First satellite integrated and tested at the DFL. Joint Canadian–American effort to demonstrate direct-to-home broadcasting. Also known as
the Communications Technology Satellite. |
| 1972 |
DFL Official Opening |
September 29, 1972 |
