OTTAWA, May 18, 2007 - Satnews Daily - Telesat Canada has reached an agreement with information solutions provider MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Ltd (MDA) to operate MDA's Radarsat-2 for the lifetime of the satellite. This will be the first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite and the first non-communications satellite placed under Telesat's control.
Telesat will provide pre-operational and satellite operation services for MDA's Radarsat-2 satellite, which will be positioned in a sun-synchronous polar orbit with a mean altitude of 798 kilometers. In addition to the eight satellites in its own fleet, Telesat operates another seven satellites for customers including XM Satellite Radio and Mobile Satellite Ventures.
Radarsat-2 is the world's most advanced commercial C-band SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite and heralds a new era in satellite performance, imaging flexibility and choice of products and service offerings.
The Radarsat-2 program ensures the continuation of the original Radarsat program, and the development of Canada's Earth Observation business sector. The satellite will be capable of image resolution ranging from three to 100 meters. Radarsat-2 will also be the first commercial radar satellite to offer multi-polarization capability that will aid in identifying a variety of surface features and objects.
MDA is the prime contractor of Radarsat-2 for the Canadian Space Agency. As a public-private partnership, on launch, MDA will become the owner and assume responsibility for the operation of this highly advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite. In return for its investment in Radarsat-2, the Canadian Space Agency will administer a $445 million data allocation fund reserved for the government of Canada and agency user community.
"This contract aptly demonstrates the company's extensive expertise in space technologies," said Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat. "While Telesat is primarily associated with the provision of telecommunications and broadcasting services, the company is also a widely recognized authority in consulting services, research and development, and satellite operations."
"We needed a dependable organization that could provide 24/7 support at a cost-effective rate," said Mag Iskander, executive vice president at MDA. "Telesat has been successfully flying satellites for 35 years, and we are delighted they will operate Radarsat-2."
MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, produce essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide.
Headquartered in Ottawa, Telesat Canada is one of the world's pioneers in satellite communications and systems management. Created in 1969, the company made history three years later with the launch of Anik A1, the world's first domestic communications satellite in geostationary orbit operated by a commercial company.
Telesat operates a fleet of satellites that provide broadcast distribution and telecommunications services, and is a highly respected consultant and partner in satellite ventures around the world. Telesat has offices throughout Canada, in the United States and in Brazil.
On December 16, 2006, Telesat's parent company, BCE Inc., agreed to sell the satellite
operator for $3.25 billion, net of debt, to a new acquisition company formed by Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) and Loral
Space & Communications Inc. (Loral). As part of the agreement between PSP and Loral, Loral will contribute its fixed satellite services and network services assets to the new acquisition company, which will become the fourth largest satellite operator in the world. Applications for the change of ownership of Telesat have been filed with the appropriate regulatory authorities.
