CSA Solicits Study of Military Automatic Identification System Sensor for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is following up its RADARSAT Next Generation Options Study of last summer with a new feasibility study of a design of an Integrated Automatic Identification System (AIS) Sensor that would eventually be built and placed on the satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM).


As the lead agency for the RCM the CSA is responsible for soliciting this study on behalf of the Radar Data Exploitation (RDE) Group at Defence Research and Development Canada.
The Integrated Automatic Identification System (AIS) Sensor would be used for identification of ships in the maritime approaches to Canada, including the Arctic and in maritime areas of interest for the Department of National Defence.
The AIS capability is an important component of the Canada First Defence Strategy introduced by the government in May 2008. At that time Prime Minister said “If you want to be taken seriously in the world, you need the capacity to act – it’s that simple . The Canada First Defence Strategy will strengthen our sovereignty and security at home and bolster our ability to defend our values and interests abroad.
The contract is worth up to $250,000 and bids must be submitted by August 10th, 2011. Once a contractor is selected they have until March 31, 2012 to complete the study.

About Marc Boucher

Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor & publisher. He is the founder of SpaceQ Media Inc. and CEO and co-founder of SpaceRef Interactive LLC. Boucher has 20+ years working in various roles in the space industry and a total of 30 years as a technology entrepreneur including creating Maple Square, Canada's first internet directory and search engine.

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