RADARSAT Constellation

The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is a 2018 space launch mission by the Government of Canada that will consist of a three-spacecraft fleet of Earth observation satellites. With satellites smaller than RADARSAT-2,^[1] the RCM will provide new applications—made possible through the constellation approach—as well as continuing to provide C band radar data to RADARSAT-2 users.^[2] Improvements include more frequent area coverage of Canada and reduced risk of a service interruption.^[3] The launch of the three satellites that will form the constellation is scheduled for 2018.^[4]

On July 30, 2013, SpaceX announced that it was awarded a launch reservation contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to launch the three satellites that make up the RCM on a Falcon 9 rocket in 2018.^[5]

Government and commercial applications broadly include:

• national security
• resource management (e.g., disaster management and ecosystem monitoring)
• sustainable development
• transportation

Specific examples:^[6]

• maritime surveillance (e.g., ship detection)
• monitoring/tracking ice
• detecting oil spills
• monitoring floods, landslides, eruptions
• aiding forest firefighting

The prime contractor on the project is MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates.

See also

• RADARSAT
• Technological and industrial history of Canada

References

1. "MDA Starts Work on Next Generation Satellite Constellation". Retrieved 2006-09-03.
2. "MDA Space Missions - What We Do - Satellite Missions - RADARDAT Constellation Mission". Retrieved 2006-09-03.
3. "Canada To Build, Launch Three More Satellites". Retrieved 2006-09-03.
4. "Canadian Space Agency - RADARSAT Constellation". Retrieved 2013-08-02.
5. "SpaceX Awarded Launch Reservation Contract for Largest Canadian Space Program". Retrieved 30 July 2013.
6. "COM DEV to Participate in Canada's New RADARSAT Constellation Mission". Retrieved 2006-09-03.

External links

• MDA Website