Radarsat-2: Earth Observation Data for the Canadian Government
- Paper number
IAC-07-B1.5.05
- Author
Ms. Jill Smyth, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Luc Brûlé, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Daniel De Lisle, Canada
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The new generation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors will allow the acquisition of high resolution and multi-polarization images. RADARSAT-2 will be the most versatile commercial SAR Earth observation system with a high spatial resolution mode of 3 meters and a fully polarimetric mode that will be available on an operational basis. The advancements in satellite technology do not only profit the imaging modes, other innovations on RADARSAT-2, such as high downlink capacity, onboard digital recorders, and high performance processing will increase the quality of the service and products. RADARSAT-2 represents a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Canadian Government and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) as the spacecraft prime contractor, ground segment supplier, as well as owner and operator of the satellite system. The Canadian Government helps fund the construction and launch of the satellite and will recover its investment through the supply of RADARSAT-2 data during the seven-year expected lifetime of the mission. Beyond the commercial benefits, the Government has a vital interest in the public good aspects of RADARSAT-2. The CSA has committed to objectives that pertain to natural resource management, environmental monitoring, ice mapping and marine monitoring. CSA's Space Technology’s Commercialization Office will assume responsibility for RADARSAT-2 Government data utilization planning, research and applications development and commercialization activities. This paper will briefly present RADARSAT-2 and its imaging capabilities, and will focus on the activities that the Canadian Government is undertaking to optimize the use of RADARSAT-2 in support of its mandate and priorities. It will specifically address the EO Data Utilization Plan, research and applications Development Support Programs and the RADARSAT-2 Data Management Plan.
- Abstract document