The Canadian Space Agency worked with MDA to provide the public an inside, and rare look, at the integration of the satellites as part of the CSA's Ask an Expert series
The Canadian Space Agency worked with MDA to provide the public an inside, and rare look, at the integration of the satellites as part of the CSA's Ask an Expert series. Credit: MDA.

This fall Canada will launch three identical large Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. At the moment they are being integrated at MDA’s Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue facility on the island of Montreal.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) worked with MDA to provide the public an inside, and rare look, at the integration of the satellites as part of the CSA’s Ask an Expert series.

According to the CSA “the three-satellite configuration will provide daily revisits of Canada’s vast territory and maritime approaches, as well as daily access to 90% of the world’s surface.”

The RADATSAT Constellation Mission is being designed for three primariy uses:

  • Maritime surveillance (ice, surface wind, oil pollution and ship monitoring);
  • Disaster management (mitigation, warning, response and recovery); and
  • Ecosystem monitoring (agriculture, wetlands, forestry and coastal change monitoring).

 

The RADARSAT Constellation Mission Space Segment will consist of a constellation of three identical satellites flying in low-Earth orbit (586 km to 615 km above the Earth). Each of the satellites in the constellation will be made up of a bus and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload. There is also a secondary payload—an automated identification system (AIS) for ships—that will be used independently or in conjunction with the SAR
The RADARSAT Constellation Mission Space Segment will consist of a constellation of three identical satellites flying in low-Earth orbit (586 km to 615 km above the Earth). Each of the satellites in the constellation will be made up of a bus and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload. There is also a secondary payload—an automated identification system (AIS) for ships—that will be used independently or in conjunction with the SAR. Credit: Canadian Space Agency.

 Watch the Ask an Expert segment

The Ask an Expert event was hosted by CSA engineer Magdalena Wierus with MDA engineer Jean-Michel Lévesque providing insights and answers to viewer questions.

https://youtu.be/jbxMC2tX4fQ

Marc Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor, podcaster and publisher. He is the founder of SpaceQ Media. Marc has 30+ years working in various roles in media, space sector not-for-profits, and internet content development.

Marc started his first Internet creator content business in 1992 and hasn't looked back. When not working Marc loves to explore Canada, the world and document nature through his photography.

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