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registry / constellations / CSA / MDA RADARSAT (fleet)

CSA / MDA RADARSAT (fleet) / eo constellation

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The RADARSAT program is a fleet of three generations of Canadian Earth observation satellites using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology: RADARSAT-1, RADARSAT-2, and the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). RADARSAT-1 was Canada's first operational Earth observation satellite; RADARSAT-2 is operated commercially by MDA; the RCM consists of three identical satellites, and RCM data is used in maritime surveillance, ecosystem monitoring, and disaster relief efforts.

(source, as of 2026-07-05)

key details

spectral bands //C-bandas of 2026-07-09
sats on orbit (verified) //4computedas of 2026-09-08

generations

RADARSAT-1C-band SAR (5.3 GHz) in a 798 km sun-synchronous orbit; resolution and swath widths varied across modes from 8-100 m to 45-500 km, with a 24-day repeat cycle. Operational 1995-2013. (source, as of 2026-07-23)
RADARSAT-2C-band SAR (5.405 GHz) with fully polarimetric imaging modes; imaging resolution of 3-100 m across a 20-500 km ground swath, sun-synchronous orbit at 798 km. Commercially operated by MDA. (source, as of 2026-07-23)
RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM)Three-satellite C-band SAR constellation (launched 2019) with an imaging resolution of 3-100 m; provides a four-day exact revisit for coherent change detection and an average daily global re-look in medium 50 m resolution mode. (source, as of 2026-07-23)

constellations

RADARSAT Constellation MissionRADARSAT-2

faq

Who operates CSA / MDA RADARSAT (fleet)?

CSA / MDA RADARSAT (fleet) is operated by Canadian Space Agency. (source, as of 2026-07-05)

When did CSA / MDA RADARSAT (fleet) first launch?

CSA / MDA RADARSAT (fleet) first launched on 1995-11-04. (source, as of 2026-07-05)