RADARSAT-2 Project Status

摘要

Canada has embarked on a next-generation commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth Observation satellite mission, which follows and builds on the success of RADARSAT-1. The RADARSAT-2 program is a joint undertaking by the Canadian space Agency (CSA) and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), and its mission is to meet expected market requirements in the first part of this new millennium. The program is a unique public-private partnership between CSA and MDA. The CSA is providing approximately 75% of the funding for the program together with the launch, and MDA is investing the difference. Scheduled for launch in 2002, RADARSAT-2 will be owned and operated by MDA throughout its 7-year design life. The CSA's investment will be recovered through the supply of imagery to Canadian government agencies. Operating in C-band and from the same orbit to ensure continuity for current RADARSAT-1 users, the satellite will offer five new beam modes, including a high-resolution (3-metre) mode necessary for mapping and surveillance operations. It will offer multi-polarization, which is essential for many applications, and it will have both left- and right-looking capability, cutting the revisit time in half. The high-power X-band downlink will allow reception by 3-metre ground station antennas. Other attributes will include on-board GPS receivers for better positioning accuracy and solid-state recorders providing up to 28 minutes recording time. The design of the SAR payload will take full advantage of state-of-the-art active phased array technology. The presentation -will include an up-to-date summary of the program status.