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| Components and Specifications |
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Overview
The RADARSAT-2 satellite incorporates state-of-the-art technology and will provide the most advanced commercially available radar imagery in the world.
RADARSAT-2 was designed to meet the needs of the global Earth observation market, providing users with high-quality data products. RADARSAT-2 will be able to image at spatial resolutions ranging from 3 to 100 metres with nominal swath widths ranging from 10 to 500 kilometres. In addition, RADARSAT-2 is the first commercial radar satellite to offer multi-polarization, a capability that aids in identifying a wide variety of surface features and targets. The satellite, scheduled for launch in March 2007, is designed to be operational for seven years
Spacecraft
The spacecraft consists of a Bus Module and a Payload Module, as
shown in the figures below.
RADARSAT-2 bus
The RADARSAT-2 Bus consists of elements that provide general support functions such as:
- Attitude measurement and control
- Telemetry and command
- Data storage and retrieval
- Power generation and storage
- Thermal control
- Primary structural support
RADARSAT-2 payload
The RADARSAT-2 Payload consists primarily of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna. It also includes specific support equipment required to perform functions such as:
- Timing and control of the Payload
- Signal distribution
- Signal detection
- Thermal control
General specifications
Total mass at launch |
2200 kg |
Mission life |
7 years |
SAR antenna dimensions |
15 x 1.5 m |
Solar arrays (each) |
3.73 x 1.8 m |
Bus |
3.7 x 1.36 m |
Antenna characteristics
Active antenna |
C-Band T/R modules |
Centre frequency |
5.405 GHz |
Bandwidth |
100 MHz |
Polarization |
HH, VV, HV, VH |
Polarization isolation |
> 25 dB |
Aperture length |
15 metres |
Aperture width |
1.37 metres |
Mass |
750 kg |
Deployment mechanism |
Extendable support structure (ESS) |
Orbit characteristics
The RADARSAT-2 spacecraft will have the same orbit as
RADARSAT-1, except for an offset in time. Thus, it will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 798 km.
This means that the orbital plane is near polar and the altitude of the satellite is such that it always passes over a specific area at the same local sun time and at fixed time intervals. RADARSAT-2 will have a repeat cycle of 24 days; however, its flexibility in the selection of incidence angles will allow imaging of the same area more frequently. The spacecraft orbit control system will be capable of maintaining ground track repeatability to within at least ±5 km at any point in the orbit.
Altitude (average) |
798 km |
Inclination |
98.6 degrees |
Period |
100.7 minutes |
Ascending node |
18:00 hrs |
Sun-synchronous |
14 orbits per day |
Repeat cycle |
24 days |
Coverage access using 500-km swath width
North of 70° |
Daily |
North of 48° |
Every 1-2 days |
Equator |
Every 2-3 days |
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