RADARSAT Constellation

{{about|the 2019 satellite mission|the whole program and earlier satellites

|RADARSAT}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = RADARSAT Constellation

| names_list =

| image =

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| mission_type = Earth observation satellites

| operator = Canadian Space Agency

| COSPAR_ID =

| SATCAT =

| website = {{URL|http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/default.asp}}

| mission_duration = 7 years (each satellite)

| spacecraft =

| spacecraft_type =

| spacecraft_bus = Canadian SmallSat Bus

| manufacturer = MDA

| launch_mass = 4,200 kg (total mass of the 3 satellites)[http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/radarsat-tableau.asp Satellite characteristics]. RADARSAT Mission. Canadian Space Agency.

| dry_mass =

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| launch_date = 12 June 2019

| launch_rocket = Falcon 9 Block 5 B1051-2

| launch_site =

| launch_contractor = SpaceX

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Sun-synchronous orbit

| orbit_longitude =

| orbit_slot =

| orbit_semimajor =

| orbit_eccentricity =

| orbit_altitude = 600 km

| orbit_periapsis =

| orbit_apoapsis =

| orbit_inclination = 97.74°

| orbit_period = 96.4 min

| orbit_RAAN =

| orbit_arg_periapsis =

| orbit_mean_anomaly =

| orbit_mean_motion =

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| apsis =

| trans_band = C band

| trans_frequency = 5.405 GHz

| trans_bandwidth = 100 MHz

| trans_capacity =

| trans_coverage =

| trans_TWTA =

| trans_EIRP =

| trans_HPBW =

}}

The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is a three-spacecraft fleet of Earth observation satellites operated by the Canadian Space Agency. The RCM's goal is to provide data for climate research and commercial applications including oil exploration, fishing, shipping, etc.{{Cite web|url=https://eospso.nasa.gov/missions/radar-satellite|title=Radar Satellite (RADARSAT)}} With satellites smaller than RADARSAT-2,{{cite web|url=http://www.mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr2006031301.html|title=MDA Starts Work on Next Generation Satellite Constellation|access-date=2006-09-03}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://sm.mdacorporation.com/what_we_do/radarsat_con.html|title=MDA Space Missions - What We Do - Satellite Missions - RADARSAT Constellation Mission|access-date=2006-09-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222132444/http://sm.mdacorporation.com/what_we_do/radarsat_con.html|archive-date=2007-02-22}} One of its most significant improvements is in its operational use of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) data.{{Cite journal |date=2015-09-03 |title=Foreword: RADARSAT Constellation Mission Special Issue |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/07038992.2015.1104639 |journal=Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing |volume=41 |issue=5 |pages=347–348 |doi=10.1080/07038992.2015.1104639 |issn=0703-8992|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/r/rcm|title=RADARSAT Constellation - eoPortal Directory - Satellite Missions|website=directory.eoportal.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-11}} The primary goal of RCM is to provide continuous C-band SAR data to RADARSAT-2 users, as SAR imagery at a high temporal resolution is required by several users in the Canadian government. Other improvements include more frequent area coverage of Canada and reduced risk of a service interruption.{{cite web|url=http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?printable=1&ContentBlockID=6907f502-a7d5-48c0-acfa-535c21ee801d&|title=Canada To Build, Launch Three More Satellites|access-date=2006-09-03}} The RCM will provide the world's most advanced, comprehensive method of maintaining Arctic sovereignty, conducting coastal surveillance, and ensuring maritime security.{{cite web |last1=Pugliese |first1=David |title=Radarsat Constellation to track ships, provide surveillance over Arctic and other regions - satellites successfully launched |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/radarsat-constellation-to-track-ships-provide-surveillance-over-arctic-and-other-regions |website=Ottawa Citizen |access-date=17 August 2020}}

The three satellites were launched on 12 June 2019 at 14:17 UTC on board a Falcon 9 rocket.{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency/news/2019/06/canadas-next-generation-radarsat-satellite-constellation-successfully-launches-to-space.html|title=Canada's next-generation RADARSAT satellite constellation successfully launches to space|last=Agency|first=Canadian Space|date=2019-06-12|website=gcnws|access-date=2019-06-13}}{{cite web|title=SpaceX Awarded Launch Reservation Contract for Largest Canadian Space Program|url=http://www.spacex.com/press/2013/07/30/spacex-awarded-launch-reservation-contract-largest-canadian-space-program|access-date=30 July 2013}} Originally booster B1050 was planned to be used for this mission. However, after the failed landing of B1050, B1051 was used in this mission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-9-second-california-launch/|title=SpaceX ships Falcon 9 booster west for second California launch of 2019|last=Ralph|first=Eric|date=2019-04-26|website=TESLARATI|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-03}}