RADARSAT-1, Today and Beyond

By Don Atwood, Ph.D.

At the recent RADARSAT International Network Station's Meeting (hosted by CSA on 25-26 September), fifty-nine SAR users from 16 countries had an opportunity to hear about the status of RADARSAT-1 and the plans for RADARSAT-2

The picture painted was an optimistic one with continuous SAR coverage SAR coverage into the year 2012.

Currently, RADARSAT-1 continues to perform nominally. Today, pitch and attitude control is achieved with magnetic torque rods, instead of the original pitch wheels that were disengaged in December 2002.

For data acquired outside of ASF station mask, many SAR users depend on the On-Board Recorder, (OBR). To insure its continued used, CSA limits the OBR playback to only one per day for the remainder of R-1's lifetime; and those playbacks occur over Canada exclusively.

RADARSAT-2 will usher in a new era in SAR capability with a series of innovations ot the R-1 model. Data continuity will be possible; yet R-2 will also offer an Ultra-fine beam mode with 3m resolution. In addition, there will be full polarimetric modes, left and right-looking capability, faster satellite tasking (12-24 hours routine / 4-12 hours in emergency), as well as faster ground processing.

MacDonald Dettwiler / RSI and its subcontractors are readying R-2 for a late 2005 launch and a 7-year operational design life. Construction is proceeding as planned with developmental work nearing completion and integration and testing started for most subsystems.

Without NASA playing a role in the launch, the paradigm for R-2 will differ significantly from that of R-1. From the viewpoint of science users, R-2 will be a purely commercial enterprise with a focus on higher capability and faster response. To date, only Norway (NSC, KSAT, and Spacetec) has become a Regional Partner in the RADARSAT program. Other nations, such as the United Arab Emirates have expressed interest in downlinking R-2 data as well.

With the impending launch date, the pursuit of new Ground Stations for regional partnerships is expected to increase. So far, the U.S. government has not expressed an interest in supporting R-2. However, the Alaska Satellite Facility with its long history of SAR Support and optimal location for downlinks is evaluating possible ways to support RADARSAT-2.

Click here to download a copy of the newsletter featuring this article