MDA, a Maxar company (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), announced today that the
three RADARSAT
Constellation Mission (RCM) satellites developed by MDA for the Canadian
Space Agency are performing according to plan. The satellites launched
this morning aboard a SpaceX
Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California,
and began sending and receiving signals from space. The satellites will
now go through a series of in-orbit manoeuvres and tests before entering
service later this year.
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Three Earth observation satellites built by Maxar’s MDA will work together to bring solutions to key challenges for Canadians (Photo: Business Wire)
MDA is the prime contractor for the project and was responsible for the
engineering design, construction and testing of the three satellites,
the ground segment and operations development. Launch was provided by
MDA subcontractor SpaceX. MDA is also providing mission operations
services for the first year on orbit, supporting the integration of RCM
into mission-critical activities across the Canadian government.
RCM represents a major enhancement of Canada’s RADARSAT program,
following the successes of RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2. Each spacecraft
payload consists of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor integrated
with an Automated Identification System (AIS) sensor.
RCM will provide the Government of Canada with enhanced surveillance,
monitoring and management of Canada’s coastal and Arctic regions,
fisheries, icy waterways, agricultural lands, natural resources, climate
and fragile ecosystems, as well as to support highly operational defence
capabilities and global disaster relief efforts. The three-satellite
constellation is capable of scanning the Earth day or night and in any
weather conditions, allowing for daily coverage over Canada’s vast
territory and maritime approaches.
“We are thrilled to see the RCM satellites successfully launched,” said
Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. “The RADARSAT Constellation
Mission builds on the legacy of RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2, and on
Canada’s expertise and leadership in Earth Observation from space.
RADARSAT data has been critical to enhance the Canadian economy and to
ensure sovereignty and security of our vast interests, while
contributing to our role in the international community on issues
impacting our planet.”
RADARSAT-1
was launched in November 1995. It operated for 17 years, well over its
five-year life expectancy, during which it orbited Earth 90,828 times,
travelling over 2 billion kilometres. It was Canada’s first Earth
observation satellite. RADARSAT-1 images supported relief operations in
244 disaster events.
RADARSAT-2
was launched in December 2007 and is still operational today. This
project represents a unique collaboration between government and
industry. MDA owns and operates the satellite and ground segment. The
Canadian Space Agency and MDA jointly funded the construction and launch
of the satellite. The CSA recovers this investment through the supply of
RADARSAT-2 data to the Government of Canada during the lifetime of the
mission.
The RCM satellite constellation has a design life of seven years
providing benefits both for Canadians and for the entire world, as well
as growing Canada’s global leadership position in space-based radar
Earth observation.
About MDA
MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics, space
sensors, satellite payloads, antennas and subsystems, surveillance and
intelligence systems, defense and maritime systems, and geospatial radar
imagery. MDA’s extensive space expertise and heritage translates into
mission-critical defence and commercial applications that include
multi-platform command, control and surveillance systems, aeronautical
information systems, land administration systems and terrestrial
robotics. MDA is also a leading supplier of actionable mission-critical
information and insights derived from multiple data sources. Founded in
1969, MDA is recognized as one of Canada’s most successful technology
ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal, Halifax
and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.mdacorporation.com.
About Maxar Technologies
As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar is at
the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the
infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that
unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. The
operations of DigitalGlobe, SSL and Radiant Solutions were unified under
the Maxar brand in February; MDA continues to operate as an independent
business unit within the Maxar organization. As a trusted partner with
5,900 employees in over 30 global locations, Maxar provides vertically
integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth
imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers
anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges
with confidence. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to
communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build
a Better World. Maxar trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto
Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com.
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