Satellite imagery company Maxar to sell Canadian unit for C$1 billion

FILE PHOTO: The Canadarm2 robotic arm, built by Canadian technology company MDA, is seen over the uncrewed SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft as it makes the first Commercial Crew vehicle to visit the International Space Station March 4, 2019. NASA/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S. satellite imagery company Maxar Technologies Inc said on Monday it would sell its Canadian space robotics business to a consortium led by Northern Private Capital (NPC) for C$1 billion ($765 million), in a bid to ease its debt.

The company's shares were up 16.2% in premarket trading.

Maxar will retain its U.S.-based space robotics division, which is responsible for developing the robotic hardwares used in NASA's Mars 2020 rover.

FILE PHOTO: The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm, built by Canadian technology company MDA, at the International Space Station May 25, 2012. NASA/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

"This transaction combined with the recently completed sale of real estate in Palo Alto reduces Maxar's overall debt by more than $1 billion," said Chief Financial Officer Biggs Porter. As of September, Maxar had a total debt of $3.1 billion.

The acquisition of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) will be financed through a combination of equity and debt.

MDA, which has helped construct part of the International Space Station, will operate as a stand-alone company within NPC's portfolio following the transaction.

Reuters first reported in June that Maxar was exploring sale of its space robotics business.

MDA, which started in the basement of a Vancouver home, makes defense and maritime systems, radar geospatial imagery, space robotics, satellite antennas, and communication subsystems.

(Reporting by Amal S in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Amy Caren Daniel)