RADARSAT 2Canada Takes the Lead in Radar Remote Sensing Satellites
RADARSAT-2, Canada's next-generation Earth observation satellite will soon undergo integration and testing at the Canadian Space Agency's David Florida Laboratory.
RADARSAT-1, developed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), became Canada’s first commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, positioning Canada as a world leader in the business of Earth observation. Launched November 4, 1995, the satellite has spawned a follow-on mission to provide data continuity for thousands of RADARSAT-1 data users around the world. RADARSAT-2 will soon undergo integration and testing at the David Florida Laboratory at Shirleys Bay, like its predecessor did in the 90s.
One of the hallmarks of Synthetic Aperture Radar is its capacity to use microwaves to penetrate cloud cover, making the surface of the earth accessible at all times, regardless of weather conditions. This is a particularly valuable characteristic for users who require images on a regularly scheduled basis, or acquired at times that coincide with specific events. Radar is particularly good at monitoring oil spills, floods, and ice flows.
Another useful characteristic of images produced by radar is that they contain phase information from the microwave energy reflected off the earth. This opens the door to many unique applications including measuring minute changes in land elevation due to earthquakes or oil field depletion, and the characterization of different materials or terrain based on the polarization shifts of reflected radiation.
Building on the success of RADARSAT-1, the Canadian Space Agency received the mandate to develop a follow-on program in co-operation with the private sector. The RADARSAT-2 program originates from this mandate and ensures the continuity of the original RADARSAT program and supports the evolution of the Earth observation industry in Canada.
RADARSAT-2 is a unique collaboration between the Canadian Space Agency and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA). Under a financial and management agreement, MDA will own and operate the satellite, while the CSA will recover its investment through the supply of images to Canadian government departments.
The spacecraft is scheduled for launch in 2004 and is designed with an operational life of seven years. The RADARSAT-2 program features some key technology upgrades and enhancements that will bring additional value to the international data user community. RADARSAT-2 will image the earth’s surface at spatial resolutions between 3 and 100 metres, with nominal swath widths ranging from 10 to 500 kilometres. RADARSAT-2 will be the first commercial radar satellite to offer multi-polarization, a capability that aids in identifying a wide variety of surface features and targets in agriculture and disaster management for example. All imaging modes will be available to both the left and right side of the satellite track. These capabilities will make RADARSAT-2 the most advanced commercial radar satellite ever launched.
The flexibility of RADARSAT-2 beam modes and its 24-hour data acquisition capabilities position the satellite as a major information source for commercial applications and remote sensing science, helping scientists and researchers better, understand, monitor and protect the earth and its environment.
First and foremost, RADARSAT-2 is being developed to address the needs of the commercial market, but the mission is also providing Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Ottawa with an opportunity to carry out a defence-related proof–of-concept experiment. Dr. Chuck Livingston heads a team of nine defence researchers that will use RADARSAT-2 data to detect and track moving vehicles on the earth's surface. The Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) demonstration project involves the development of a specialized defence payload on the satellite that will collect and process data central to this application. The information will be transmitted back to earth using secure encryption techniques.
The GMTI project has obvious defence applications; Dr. Livingstone explained however that it could ultimately have important civilian applications as well. "By using the GMTI technique, we expect to be able to detect moving vehicles on the surface of the earth. Airborne radar results have been very positive and our analysis indicates that we could expect similar results using RADARSAT-2."
He also adds: "Our detection cell size on the surface of the earth is 6 metres, however GMTI is usually able to detect targets smaller than the radar cell size. The ability to monitor and analyze traffic patterns from space could be an interesting civilian application of the demonstration project.”
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