Maxar Technologies has officially retired its name, introducing new brand identities for its two successor businesses. The company’s intelligence and Earth observation division has been rebranded as Vantor, while its satellite systems and manufacturing arm will now operate as Lanteris.
Maxar Technologies was established in 2017 following MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates’ (MDA) $3.6 billion acquisition of DigitalGlobe, combining two of the most influential players in the satellite and geospatial sectors. The merger created a company positioned to provide integrated satellite, imagery, and geospatial services to both government and commercial markets, with capabilities spanning high-resolution Earth observation, satellite manufacturing, and advanced geospatial analytics.
The company further expanded its footprint by incorporating U.S.-based Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading satellite systems and spacecraft manufacturer, under the holding company Maxar Technologies Holdings, consolidating decades of expertise in space infrastructure and technology. This integration allowed Maxar to offer a full spectrum of solutions, from satellite construction and launch services to actionable intelligence derived from multi-source imagery.
In 2020, Maxar sold the Canadian portion of MDA to a consortium led by Toronto-based investment firm Northern Private Capital (NPC). The transaction officially closed that year, and in 2024 the business was rebranded as MDA Space, continuing to operate as a standalone Canadian space and robotics company.
After nearly six years of operating as a unified entity, Maxar has officially retired its name and introduced new brand identities for its two successor businesses. The company’s intelligence and Earth observation division has been rebranded as Vantor, reflecting its focus on delivering end-to-end multi-domain spatial intelligence solutions, powered by AI and advanced analytics. Vantor inherits Maxar’s legacy in high-resolution Earth imaging, tracing back to DigitalGlobe’s pioneering satellite constellation, and is building next-generation platforms such as Tensorglobe, which fuses satellite, aerial, and ground sensor data into a unified, actionable 3D digital globe.
Meanwhile, the satellite systems and manufacturing arm has been renamed Lanteris Space Systems, emphasizing its role in space infrastructure and advanced spacecraft development. Lanteris draws on decades of heritage from SSL and MDA, supporting national security, commercial satellite platforms, and deep-space exploration missions. Its focus includes resilient satellite constellations, AI-enabled in-space solutions, and global connectivity initiatives designed to meet the demands of defense, government, and commercial customers.
The rebranding completes the corporate separation initiated after private equity firm Advent International acquired Maxar for $6.4 billion in 2023, taking the company private and preparing it for independent operation as two distinct entities. Both Vantor and Lanteris will continue as Advent International portfolio companies, reflecting the firm’s strategy of investing in specialized growth markets across the rapidly evolving space economy.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet grew in importance as a research tool, he helped design the company's Forecast Intelligence Center and currently coordinates the EMarket Alert newsletters for clients. Richard also manages social media efforts, including two new blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, covering defense systems and international issues, and Flight Plan, which focuses on commercial aviation and space systems. For over 30 years, Richard has authored the Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International) services. The two books provide detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database that tracks all the contractors involved in the programs covered in the FI library. More recently he was appointed Manager, Information Services Group (ISG), a new unit that encompasses developing outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
