Canada's Radarsat was a radar satellite featuring variable resolution, and different view angles at a number of preset positions.

This sophisticated remote sensing satellite was a Canadian-led project involving the United States. It carried a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a powerful microwave instrument that could transmit and receive signals to "see" through clouds and darkness, obtaining detailed images of the Earth. This would provide significant advantages in viewing under conditions that precluded observation by aircraft or optical satellites. RADARSAT collected data on resource management, ice, ocean and environmental monitoring and Arctic and off-shore surveillance. RADARSAT also supported fishing, shipping, oil exploration, offshore drilling and ocean research. The RADARSAT would provide complete global coverage with the flexibility to support specific requirements.

The spacecraft solar array provided 2.1 kW of power and recharged three NiCd batteries rated at 48 Ah. On the cube shaped bus was mounted the earth facing SAR antenna measuring 15 meters across. Using a single 5.3 GHz C-Band SAR with a wavelength of 5.6 cm, Radarsat had the unique ability to shape and steer its beam over a 500 kilometer range. Beam selections could image swaths from 35 kilometers to 500 kilometers with resolutions from 10 meters to 100 meters respectively. Incidence angles ranged from less than 20 degrees to 60 degrees via a steerable antenna. The RF bandwidth of the system varied between 1.6, 17.3 or 30.0 Mhz, with a peak transmitter peak of 5kW. The maximum data rate was 85 Mb/s (recorded) or 105 Mb/s (in real time).

The project had a total cost of $ 475 million. Ball receieved a contract in 1989 for the satellite frame valued at $ 55 million.

Design Life: 5 years. Typical orbit: Sun-synchronous 793x821 km; incl.= 98.6 degrees; p. Length: 1.50 m (4.90 ft). Maximum Diameter: 1.20 m (3.90 ft). Span: 15.00 m (49.00 ft). Mass: 2,713 kg (5,981 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000.

• 1995 November 4 - Radarsat - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Mass: 2,713 kg (5,981 lb). Perigee: 791 km (491 mi). Apogee: 793 km (492 mi). Inclination: 98.60 deg. Period: 100.70 min.

  Earth imaging with synthetic aperture radar.

• JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Accessed at: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Krebs, Gunter, Gunter's Space Page, University of Frankfurt, 1996. Accessed at: http://www.skyrocket.de/space.