Ottawa, Canada, November 19, 2007: Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada has issued an operating licence for RADARSAT-2, Canada’s newest, privately owned and operated remote sensing space system.
The operating licence for RADARSAT-2 is the first to be issued under the new Remote Sensing Space Systems Act. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada led the government’s efforts to bring into effect this new legislation regulating the operation of remote sensing satellites with increased capabilities. Under the Act, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has licensing authority and is responsible for balancing the economic prosperity of Canadians with the national security and foreign policy dimensions of the technology.
“We are very pleased to have enabled a new generation of highly advanced Canadian satellites,” said Mr. Bernier. “Enhanced Earth observations will increase Canada’s ability to exercise our sovereignty in the Far North, an important priority for our government. And by providing high-resolution images of disaster areas, including affected infrastructure such as airports, roads and bridges, RADARSAT-2 will also be an indispensable tool to speed rescue missions and humanitarian aid to those most in need at home, in the Americas and around the world.”
Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, lauded the licence as marking a new era for Canada’s space industry. “The space sector now has a clear road map to follow, particularly those companies developing imaging satellites,” said Mr. Prentice. “RADARSAT-2 sends a clear signal to the world that Canada intends to lead in this space activity.”
RADARSAT-2 is the product of a unique public-private partnership between the Canadian Space Agency and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA). Once launched, the satellite will be owned by MDA and operated by MDA Geospatial Services Inc. RADARSAT-2 will ensure the continuity of data services for government departments, the scientific community and a growing number of commercial clients.
