CSA / MDA RADARSAT (fleet) / eo constellation
sourcingtypical 3/5 · 10 factsThe 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.
key specs
constellations
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)
facts
sats active (verified) counts objects currently tracked in CelesTrak's catalog for this constellation. It is a tracking count, not an operator claim about satellite health. Rows marked computed are the sum of the sub-constellations listed below; each sub-constellation page carries its own sourced figure.
orbit
events
timeline
- 20202020-04-08Northern Private Capital completes CAD 1 billion purchase of MDA from Maxar (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 20192019-12RADARSAT Constellation Mission's three satellites become fully operational (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 2019-06-12RADARSAT Constellation Mission's three satellites launch for MDA and the Canadian Space Agency (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 20172017-10-05MDA acquires DigitalGlobe and rebrands as Maxar Technologies (per Via Satellite) (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 20072007-12-14RADARSAT-2 launches as Canada's commercially operated SAR successor (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 19951995-11-04RADARSAT-1 launches as Canada's first operational Earth observation satellite (source, as of 2026-07-06)