MDA, a Maxar company based in Montreal, Canada, announced on June 12 that the three RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) satellites developed by MDA for the Canadian Space Agency are performing according to plan. The satellites launched this morning aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and began sending and receiving signals from space. The satellites will now go through a series of in-orbit maneuvers and tests before entering service later this year.
MDA is the prime contractor for the project and was responsible for the
engineering design, construction and testing of the three satellites, the
ground segment and operations development. Launch was provided by MDA
subcontractor SpaceX. MDA is also providing mission operations services for the
first year on orbit, supporting the integration of RCM into mission-critical
activities across the Canadian government.
RCM represents a major enhancement of Canada’s RADARSAT program,
following the successes of RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2. Each spacecraft payload
consists of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor integrated with an
Automated Identification System (AIS) sensor.
RCM will provide the Government of Canada with enhanced surveillance,
monitoring and management of Canada’s coastal and Arctic regions, fisheries,
icy waterways, agricultural lands, natural resources, climate and fragile
ecosystems, as well as to support highly operational defence capabilities and
global disaster relief efforts. The three-satellite constellation is capable of
scanning the Earth day or night and in any weather conditions, allowing for
daily coverage over Canada’s vast territory and maritime approaches.
“We are thrilled to see the RCM satellites successfully launched,” said
Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. “The RADARSAT Constellation Mission
builds on the legacy of RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2, and on Canada’s expertise
and leadership in Earth Observation from space. RADARSAT data has been critical
to enhance the Canadian economy and to ensure sovereignty and security of our
vast interests, while contributing to our role in the international community
on issues impacting our planet.”
RADARSAT-1 was launched in November 1995. It operated for 17 years, well over its five-year life expectancy, during which it orbited Earth 90,828 times, travelling over 2 billion kilometers. It was Canada’s first Earth observation satellite. RADARSAT-1 images supported relief operations in 244 disaster events.
RADARSAT-2 was launched in December 2007 and is still operational today. This project represents a unique collaboration between government and industry. MDA owns and operates the satellite and ground segment. The Canadian Space Agency and MDA jointly funded the construction and launch of the satellite. The CSA recovers this investment through the supply of RADARSAT-2 data to the Government of Canada during the lifetime of the mission.
Source: MDA
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