Space X Launching RADARSAT Constellation Mission On Wed. 6/12/2019
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CA Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 4E (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com) -
Falcon 9 render (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com) -
Space X' Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at Space Launch Complex 4E , Jan 2017 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com) -
Falcon 9 Flight 20 historic first stage landing at CCAFS Landing Zone 1 in 2015 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com) -
Flacon 9 rocket launches with a Dragon spacecraft in tow from Cape Canaveral on Sep. 21, 2014 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com) -
Falcon 9, Space X launches Falcon rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on July 14, 2014 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
CA Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 4E (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Falcon 9 render (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Space X’ Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at Space Launch Complex 4E , Jan 2017 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Falcon 9 Flight 20 historic first stage landing at CCAFS Landing Zone 1 in 2015 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Flacon 9 rocket launches with a Dragon spacecraft in tow from Cape Canaveral on Sep. 21, 2014 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Falcon 9, Space X launches Falcon rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on July 14, 2014 (Attribution: Space X, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
(Please click on red links & note magenta)
On Wednesday, June 12, 2019, Space X will target for launch of RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base of California. Space X will launch three next-generation Earth observation satellites by the Canadian Space Agency. The 13-minute launch window will open at 10:17 am EDT (1417GMT; 7:17 a.m. local California time). The satellites will begin deployment about 54 minutes after the launch. A backup launch window will open on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at 7:17 a.m. PDT, or 14:17 UTC, and will close at 7:30 a.m. PDT, or 14:30 UTC.
Animation of the launch and deployment of the three satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). The RCM will take daily scans of our country and its waters collecting invaluable information. This important data helps captains safely navigate through Arctic waters, farmers maximize their crop yields and first responders save lives, among other solutions. (Credits: Canadian Space Agency, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)), in the video “RADARSAT Constellation Mission: Finding solutions for a better Canada-Animation”, below:
This animation presents the key components of an RCM satellite. (Credits: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), Canadian Space Agency), in the video “The Making of a Satellite-The RADARSAT Constellation“, below:
Check out this cool timelapse of one of RCM’s satellites on its way to the Thermal Vacuum Chamber at our David Florida Laboratory. This test is used to check the satellite’s resistance to extreme space temperatures and vacuum. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency), in the video “RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM)“, below:
For more on RADARSAT Constellation Mission, please refer to the excerpt from wikipedia, in italics, below:
The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is a three-spacecraft fleet of Earth observation satellites by the Canadian Space Agency. With satellites smaller than RADARSAT-2,[3] the RCM will provide new applications—made possible through the constellation approach—as well as continuing to provide C-band radar data to RADARSAT-2 users.[4] One of its most significant improvements is in its operational use of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) data.[5] The primary goal of RCM is to provide continuous C-band SAR data to RADARSAT-2 users, as SAR imagery at a high temporal resolution is required by several users in the Canadian government.[5] Other improvements include more frequent area coverage of Canada and reduced risk of a service interruption.[6]
The launch of the three satellites that will form the constellation is scheduled for June 2019. Manufacturer MDA contracted the launch to SpaceX with a Falcon 9 rocket.[7] The booster intended for this mission, B1050, failed to land successfully after launching CRS-16, so B1051 will launch the RCM.[8]
Overview
Working alongside industry partners, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is in charge of mission planning and operations from their headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.[9] The project was accepted given these three objectives would be met: deliver C-band data to users within the Canadian government, produce daily coverage for ice, ship, and oil spill detection, and meet financial constraints to minimize cost of the program.[5] The Canadian Government will own the satellites and data and will be responsible for its dissemination. Several requirements were established for the RCM by the Canadian government. RCM is required to be able to access 95% of any point on the globe on an average day. It is also required to have a multi-polarization function to increase flexibility in its function, as well as be able to capture subsidence in terrain using Phase Preserving ScanSAR Processing.[5] The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) includes three identical Earth observation satellites. The prime contractor on the project is MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates and it was designed for three main uses:[10][11]
- Maritime surveillance (ice, surface wind, oil pollution and ship monitoring)
- Disaster management (mitigation, warning, response and recovery)
- Ecosystem monitoring (agriculture, wetlands, forestry and coastal change monitoring)
Its synthetic aperture radars (SAR) have a mass of 400 kg each, and a resolution of 1 × 3 m.[1] As secondary payload, it includes Automatic Identification System for ships (AIS).[12]
You can watch the launch HERE (courtesy of SpaceX ) or HERE (via the SpaceX spaceflight company), or watch from “RADARSAT Constellation Mission” below:
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, June 12 for launch of RADARSAT Constellation Mission from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The primary launch window opens at 7:17 a.m. PDT, or 14:17 UTC, and closes at 7:30 a.m. PDT, or 14:30 UTC. The satellites will begin deployment approximately 54 minutes after launch. A backup launch window opens on Thursday, June 13 at 7:17 a.m. PDT, or 14:17 UTC, and closes at 7:30 a.m. PDT, or 14:30 UTC.
Falcon 9’s first stage for launch of RADARSAT Constellation Mission previously supported Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission in March 2019. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to land on SpaceX’s Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Gathered, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker More about the community at www.WindermereSun.com
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