Radarsat satellite goes into orbit

The Canadian Space Agency’s Radarsat satellite was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Nov. 4.

Unlike standard earth observation satellites, which have sensors that process optical signals from the earth’s surface, the Canadian-built satellite generates a radio signal and receives “bounced” radar from the earth.

Radarsat, funded by the Canadian government and four provincial governments, was launched by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration in exchange for access to Radarsat data. The satellite will provide remote sensing imagery for the resource industries and government use.