Nano2Sol by Marc Boucher

With all the discussion about the sale of MDA’s space division to ATK I thought it might be useful to provide some background documents that explain what Radarsat-2 is and it’s impact. Of note, the Canadian Space Agency Departmental Performance Review for 2007 lists the total expected cost of Radarsat-2 to be $421.6 million.

The primary defense capabilities of Radarsat-2 can be found in the incorporation of high resolution imaging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and the Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) instruments.

• RADARSAT-2:  Innovation in Earth Observation, MDA
• RADARSAT-2 ground segment, Canadian Journal of  Remote Sensing
• Turning the scientifically possible into the operationally practical: RADARSAT-2 Commercialization plan, Canadian Journal of  Remote Sensing
• Canadian Space Agency 2006-2007 Departmental Performance Report, Canadian Space Agency
• Integration of Space Based Radar in The Coalition Assets Surveillance Architecture - Interoperability, Defense Research and Development Canada, Department of Defense, Canada
• A Simulation Study of Multi-Channel RADARSAT-2 GMTI, Defense Research and Development Canada, Department of Defense, Canada

On March 5th the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology held a hearing chaired by Mr. James Rajotte, member for parliament form Edmonton-Leduc. Witnesses included Mr. Marc Garneau former President, Canadian Space Agency, Mr. Steven Staples, Chair, Rideau Institute on International Affairs, Mr. Michael Byers, Professor, Canada Research Chair (Tierne) in Global Politics and International Law, University of
British Columbia, Mr. Hugh Thompson (Spacecraft systems engineer, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.

The attached PDF provides their statements and answers to questions posed by members of the committee.

Here is an excerpt from Mr Steven Staples:

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