The document discusses the RADARSAT satellites and their specifications. RADARSAT-1 was launched in 1995 and RADARSAT-2 in 2007. Both satellites use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) which can obtain high-quality images in all weather conditions. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission will consist of three smaller satellites launching between 2016-2017, providing more frequent coverage of Canada with reduced risk of service interruption.

1. Satellite and Their Specification
RADARSAT Satellites and Their Specification
RADARSAT is Canada's first series of sophisticated Earth observation satellites.
RADARSAT-1 was launched in 1995 and RADARSAT-2, in 2007. Both are equipped
with advanced radar sensors called a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The SAR is a
powerful microwave instrument that transmits and receives signals to "see"
through clouds, haze, smoke, and darkness, and obtains high quality images of the
Earth in all weather, day or night. This provides significant advantages in viewing
the Earth under conditions that preclude observation by aircraft or optical
satellites.
RADARSAT has the unique ability to shape and steer its radar beam over an area
of up to 500 km in width. Users can select images from a variety of radar beam
selections with resolutions from a few meters up to 100 m. The Canadian Data
Processing Facility can deliver radar images to users within hours of the actual
data collection. Mission planners at the Canadian Space Agency prioritize
customer orders and develop plans for data acquisition, onboard recorder usage,
data reception, data processing and/or archiving.
The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) consists of a three-spacecraft fleet
of Earth observation satellites. With satellites smaller than RADARSAT-2, the RCM
will provide new applications—made possible through the constellation
approach—as well as continuing to provide C band radar data to RADARSAT-
2 users. Improvements include more frequent area coverage of Canada and
reduced risk of a service interruption. The launch of the three satellites that will
form the constellation is scheduled for 2016-17.
S K Diwakar

2. Satellite and Their Specification
Specification
RADARSAT 1 RADARSAT 2 RADARSAT
CONSTELLATION
Launch date December
November 1995 Scheduled for 2016-17
2007
Owenr Canadian Space
MDA MDA
Agency
Design Life 5 Years 7 Years 7 Years (each)
Altitude 793-821 km 798 km 592.7 km
Inclination 98.6 degrees 98.6 degrees 97.74 degrees
Orbit duration 100.7 min 100.7 min 96.4 min
Orbit Sun-Synchronous
Bandwidth 30 MHz 100 MHz 100 MHz
Imaging C-Band; 5.405
C-Band; 5.3 GHz. C-Band; 5.405 GHz.
Frequency GHz.
Spatial 1 to 100
Resolution 8 to 100 meters meters 1 to 100 meters
(Stripmap Mode) (Spotlight (Spotlight Mode)
Mode)
Beam Modes 7 12 12
Polarization HH, VV, HV, HH, VV, HV, VH,
HH
Channels VH Compact Polarimetry
Look Direction Right Right & Left Right & Left
SAR Antenna
15 m x 1.5 m 15 m x 1.5 m 6.75 m x 1.38 m
Dimensions
Mass 679 kg 750 kg 400 kg
Deployment Simple strut
Extendable
Mechanism Extendable deployment with a
Support
Support Structure kinematically decoupled
Structure
(ESS) internal support
(ESS)
structure
S K Diwakar