RADARSAT Constellation

The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) consists of a three spacecraft fleet of Earth observation satellites. With satellites smaller than RADARSAT-2, [cite web|url=http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr2006031301.html|title=MDA Starts Work on Next Generation Satellite Constellation|accessdate=2006-09-03] 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. [cite web|url=http://sm.mdacorporation.com/what_we_do/radarsat_con.html|title=MDA Space Missions - What We Do - Satellite Missions - RADARDAT Constellation Mission|accessdate=2006-09-03] Improvements include more frequent area coverage of Canada and reduced risk of a service interruption. [cite web|url=http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?printable=1&ContentBlockID=6907f502-a7d5-48c0-acfa-535c21ee801d&|title=Canada To Build, Launch Three More Satellites|accessdate=2006-09-03]

Government and commercial applications broadly include:
* national security
* resource management (e.g., disaster management and ecosystem monitoring)
* sustainable development
* transportation

Specific examples: [cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=19340|title=COM DEV to Participate in Canada's New RADARSAT Constellation Mission|accessdate=2006-09-03]
* 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.

ee also

* RADARSAT

External links

* [http://www.mdacorporation.com MDA Website]

References