# RADARSAT > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/RADARSAT > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/RADARSAT.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RADARSAT > Source revision: 1325270946 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) thumbnail|right|RADARSAT 1000m resolution map of Canada '''RADARSAT''' is a Canadian [remote sensing](/source/remote_sensing) [Earth observation satellite](/source/Earth_observation_satellite) program overseen by the [Canadian Space Agency](/source/Canadian_Space_Agency) (CSA). The program has consisted of: * [RADARSAT-1](/source/RADARSAT-1) (1995–2013) * [RADARSAT-2](/source/RADARSAT-2) (2007–){{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/soyuz-rocket-lifts-canadian-radar-satellite-into-space-1.691231|title=Soyuz rocket lifts Canadian radar satellite into space|access-date=2007-12-14 | work=CBC News | date=2007-12-14}} * [RADARSAT Constellation](/source/RADARSAT_Constellation) (2019-) == Overview == === RADARSAT-1 === {{main|Radarsat-1}} The RADARSAT-1 project consisted of collaboration between the [Canadian federal government](/source/Government_of_Canada) and provinces, the [United States](/source/United_States), and the private sector.{{Cite web|url=http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat1/default.asp|title=RADARSAT-1|website=Canadian Space Agency|language=en|access-date=2017-03-19|date=2005-11-04}} RADARSAT-1 was launched by NASA on November 4, 1995, although it was owned and controlled by the Canadian Space Agency. The project had a projected lifetime of 5 years, but operated for 18 years before failing in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://science.nasa.gov/missions/radarsat|title=RADARSAT-1 {{!}} Science Mission Directorate|website=science.nasa.gov|access-date=2020-03-05}} The goal of this project was to produce a satellite for earth observation by way of a [Synthetic Aperture Radar](/source/Synthetic_aperture_radar), which is an advanced radar sensor and powerful microwave instrument capable of producing high quality images of the Earth during day or night and across a wide range of weather conditions including cloud cover, smoke, and haze. As a result of the versatility of RADARSAT-1, it has proven highly beneficial to both commercial and scientific users. === RADARSAT-2 === {{main|Radarsat-2}} RADARSAT-2 was constructed with several improvements over the RADARSAT-1 project, making it one of the most advanced radar imaging satellites in the world.{{Cite report|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA469927.pdf |title=RADARSAT-2 System and Mode Description |author1=Dr. C.E. Livingstone |author2=Dr. I. Sikaneta |author3=Dr. C. Gierull |author4=Dr. S. Chiu |author5=Mr. P. Beaulne |publisher=Defence Research and Development Canada |date=August 1, 2006|access-date=December 1, 2025}} Some of the improvements over RADARSAT-1 include increased [spatial resolution](/source/Angular_resolution), multiple [polarization filters](/source/Polarizer), [solid state](/source/Solid-state_drive) recorders, and [GPS receivers](/source/GPS_navigation_device) on board. === RADARSAT Constellation === {{main|RADARSAT Constellation}} RADARSAT Constellation was constructed in order to make improvements on the previous model (RADARSAT-2). This rendition will use a [constellation](/source/Satellite_constellation) of three small satellites to provide greater coverage while minimizing service interruptions. This system allows for one of the three satellites to pass over an exact location every 4 days in comparison to the 24 day time frame of its predecessors. RADARSAT Constellation has an orbit around Earth at 600 km making a full pass every 96 minutes with each of the three satellites separated by a span of 32 minutes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/faq.asp|title=Frequently Asked Questions - RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM)|date=2018-07-06|website=www.asc-csa.gc.ca|access-date=2020-03-06}} The mission aims to aide with disaster management as well as monitor ecosystems.{{Cite web|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/r/rcm|title=RADARSAT Constellation - eoPortal Directory - Satellite Missions|website=directory.eoportal.org|access-date=2020-02-26}} ==RADARSAT International== '''RADARSAT International''' (RSI) was formed in 1989 to market, process, and distribute data from RADARSAT-1. It was owned by a consortium of aerospace companies consisting of [MDA](/source/MacDonald%2C_Dettwiler_and_Associates), [Spar Aerospace](/source/Spar_Aerospace), [COM DEV International](/source/COM_DEV_International), and [Lockheed Martin](/source/Lockheed_Martin). RSI provided Earth-observation data and derived information products from RADARSAT-1 along with data from other commercially available Earth-observation satellites including [Landsat 4](/source/Landsat_4), [Landsat 5](/source/Landsat_5), [Landsat 7](/source/Landsat_7), [IKONOS](/source/IKONOS), [IRS](/source/Indian_Remote_Sensing_satellite), [ERS](/source/European_Remote-Sensing_Satellite), [QuickBird](/source/QuickBird), and [ENVISAT](/source/ENVISAT).{{cite web|url=http://www.directionsmag.com/companies/RADARSAT_International/|title=RADARSAT International|publisher=Directions Magazine|accessdate=2006-07-16|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818111718/http://www.directionsmag.com/companies/RADARSAT_International/|archivedate=2006-08-18}} In 1999, MDA completed a [buyout](/source/buyout) of the other RSI shareholders and incorporated the company as MDA Geospatial Services Inc. (MDA GSI), a wholly owned subsidiary.{{cite web|url=http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr1999022601.html|title=MacDonald Dettwiler to Acquire Radarsat International|accessdate=2006-07-16 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060506033407/http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr1999022601.html |archivedate = 2006-05-06}} MDA GSI holds the operating license for RADARSAT-2 under contract from the Canadian Space Agency.{{cite web|title=What is RADARSAT-2|date=12 September 2008 |url=https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat2/what-is-radarsat2.asp|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=December 11, 2022}} == Main users of RADARSAT data == The [Canadian Ice Service](/source/Canadian_Ice_Service) (CIS) is one of the largest processors of the RADARSAT data.{{Cite book|last1=Flett|first1=D. G.|last2=Manore|first2=M. J.|last3=Ramsay|first3=B. R.|last4=Falkingham|first4=J. C.|title=IGARSS 2001. Scanning the Present and Resolving the Future. Proceedings. IEEE 2001 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Cat. No.01CH37217) |chapter=Preparing for operational use of RADARSAT-2 data at the Canadian Ice Service |date=2001-01-01|volume=1|pages=493–495 vol.1|doi=10.1109/IGARSS.2001.976200|isbn=978-0-7803-7031-9|s2cid=61522260 }} Once the CIS has processed the data at the Canadian Center for Data Processing (CCTD) in Gatineau, Quebec, it is then provided to clients such as the [Canadian Coast Guard](/source/Canadian_Coast_Guard) (CCG). Since RADARSAT data is readily available in near-real time, it is one of the best source of information to use for coastal monitoring, ship detection and maritime ice navigation.{{Cite journal|last1=Ramsay|first1=B.|last2=Manore|first2=M.|last3=Weir|first3=L.|last4=Wilson|first4=K.|last5=Bradley|first5=D.|date=1998-03-01|title=Use of Radarsat Data in the Canadian Ice Service|journal=Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing|volume=24|issue=1|pages=36–42|doi=10.1080/07038992.1998.10874689|issn=0703-8992|bibcode=1998CaJRS..24...36R}} ==See also== * [RADARSAT Constellation](/source/RADARSAT_Constellation) * [Polar Epsilon](/source/Polar_Epsilon) ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://gs.mdacorporation.com/ MDA Geospatial Services Inc.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003220934/http://gs.mdacorporation.com/ |date=2018-10-03 }} * [http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/default.asp CSA Radarsat Constellation] Category:Earth observation satellites of Canada --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [RADARSAT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RADARSAT) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RADARSAT?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.