RADARSAT-2 completed its commissioning on April 25, 2008 and fully transitioned into commercial operations to deliver advanced radar images of the Earth, with this information delivered by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Ltd. [TSD:MDA], owner and operator of the satellite. Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 14, 2007, RADARSAT-2 delivered its first sample high-resolution radar images on December 18, 2007. RADARSAT-2 is the result of a unique collaboration between MDA and the Canadian Space Agency. The satellite provides the follow-on to the RADARSAT-1 mission, serving data users around the world with new imaging modes, data with higher information content, and more responsive programming and delivery services. The satellite will directly supply the growing global market for commercial high-resolution radar imagery.
MDA President and CEO Daniel Friedmann said, ‘We are extremely pleased to announce the completion of the RADARSAT-2 commissioning, and are excited by the excellent performance of this important new satellite and its extended suite of data products. This milestone, and the overall success of this project, is directly related to the talented workforce of MDA and our subcontractors, and the great cooperation between the Canadian Space Agency and MDA throughout the development and build phases.’


