Date Posted: Dec 14, 2007

RADARSAT-2 Successfully Launched

Richmond, B.C. – MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd (MDA) announced the successful launch and deployment of RADARSAT-2, Canada’s next–generation commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. The satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at ~ 05:17 Pacific Standard Time on a Soyuz launch vehicle.

In addition to guaranteeing data continuity for RADARSAT-1 users, RADARSAT-2 offers new capabilities with its advanced technical design. These new capabilities include: a finer resolution, flexibility in selection of polarization and left-and right-looking imaging. These capabilities, in concert with increased on-time imaging capacity, and an enhanced ground segment, allow MDA to offer clients an even greater degree of flexibility in choice of products and service offerings.

RADARSAT-2 is the product of a unique partnership between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and MDA. MDA is responsible for the marketing and distribution of the data via a global network of partners and ground receiving stations.

“We are extremely excited to welcome this new chapter in SAR imaging,” said John Hornsby, General Manager for MDA’s Geospatial Services business area. Dr. Hornsby continued, “RADARSAT-2 promises to deliver products with higher resolution and information content and with a significantly shorter end-to-end “order to delivery” process.”

RADARSAT-2’s successful launch is the culmination of many years of effort by MDA, CSA and its partners. RADARSAT-2 will provide enhanced information for applications such as environmental monitoring, ice mapping, resource mapping, disaster management and marine surveillance.