The RADARSAT-2 satellite and ground system is a unique collaboration between government and industry. MDA will own and operate the satellite and ground segment, while the Canadian Space Agency contributed funds for the construction and launch of the satellite. To MDA's investment of about $92 million, the Government contributed about $430 million to the program.

The investment of public funds in the program is to be repaid through the supply of RADARSAT-2 data to the Government of Canada during the lifetime of the mission. RADARSAT-2 is an invaluable Earth-observation tool for applications in fields such as environmental studies, ice and coastal monitoring, oil spill tracking, land use and resource management, and disaster response.

Partners

MDA

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) was selected in December 1998 through a tendering process to construct and operate RADARSAT-2 and to commercialize its potential. MDA looked after subcontracted contributors in the construction and operations of the satellite and is responsible for the marketing and distribution of RADARSAT-2 data.

Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) has years of experience with existing RADARSAT data reception, archiving, distribution and calibration facilities. The CCRS is also responsible for the management of the Canadian Earth Observation Satellite Station Infrastructure Programming. This includes reception and archiving system upgrades for RADARSAT-2. CCRS will capture data and maintain archiving systems for RADARSAT-2 imaging at their downlink facilities located in Gatineau, Quebec and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Moreover, the CCRS has a considerable expertise in radar remote sensing research and is contributing to applications development for RADARSAT-2.

Other Contractors

EMS Technologies constructs the SAR payload

For the synthetic aperture radar, MDA selected EMS Technologies. EMS furnished the SAR antenna and the radar electronics package for the spacecraft.

ABLE Engineering built the extendible support structure

The ESS is the mechanical interface between the bus and antenna structure used to deploy the radar antenna and maintain it in a stable, precise position for accurate imaging. ABLE Engineering of Santa Barbara, California, was the ESS subcontractor.

Bus construction and solar arrays by Alenia Spazio

Alenia Spazio developed and constructed the RADARSAT-2 bus . It is based on PRIMA, a multi-mission platform the company developed for the Italian Space Agency. The bus will be equipped with sophisticated systems for satellite attitude control, high accuracy autonomous navigation, and data handling and transmission. Alenia also built the solar arrays.

Launch services by Starsem

Starsem of Russia has been contracted by MDA to launch Canada's RADARSAT-2 Earth observation satellite on a Soyuz launch vehicle. The launch is planned for summer 2007 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.