The Canadian Space Agency has awarded $2.4 million to three companies to design the ground-control systems for the country’s upcoming fleet of new Earth observation satellites.
Calian, Kepler Communications, and MDA Space will each receive up to $804,000. These new contracts are part of the broader RADARSAT+ initiative. This ongoing national Earth observation program follows the successful RADARSAT Constellation Mission and builds on Canada’s historical expertise in Synthetic Aperture Radar technology developed for RADARSAT-1 which was launched in November 1995.
Satellites in low-Earth orbit collect information that touches everyday life across the country. Government agencies and private industries rely on this daily data to track sea ice so northern shipping routes remain safe. First responders use the imagery to map flood zones and direct disaster relief efforts. Maritime authorities also depend on the network to monitor illegal fishing and protect Canadian waters.
“Canada has long-standing expertise in radar satellite technology,” said Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency. “By building on this strong foundation and the ingenuity of Canada’s space sector, we are exploring innovative approaches to help ensure Canadians maintain access to the essential satellite data and services they rely on every day.”
The new contracts focus on the ground segment of the upcoming satellite network. This includes the complex software systems, communication dishes, and physical infrastructure on Earth required to steer the spacecraft and process the vast amounts of environmental data they beam down. The chosen companies will deliver a concept for this control network alongside a plan to build it and mitigate potential technical risks.
This terrestrial funding follows an earlier round of contracts awarded in December 2025 for the space segment. That previous phase covered the hardware for a next-generation RADARSAT satellite. Both segments represent an important continuation for Canadian space infrastructure. The overarching $1.012 billion investment plan announced in 2023 will span 15 years and secure the uninterrupted flow of environmental data.
A difference in part from past RADARSAT procurements is the elevated messaging surrounding the program in regards to sovereign defence capabilities. While defence has been a significant part of Canada’s Earth observation program for some time, including the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, a trio of satellites that launched in June 2019, defence is now enshrined in public discourse with the Defence Industrial Strategy firmly linking everyday satellite operations to national security.