The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Canadian private sector companies are key contributors to the groundbreaking Earth observation satellite Envisat, launched last month by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Data from Envisat will be used extensively by Canadians, together with data provided by Canada's Radarsat-1 and -2. Radarsat-2, due to be launched at the end of 2003, will be part of the next generation of Earth observation satellites.
Onboard Envisat are 21 separate projects provided by Canadian scientists and retained by ESA. These projects range from studies of atmospheric gases and vegetation land cover to monitoring ice flow movement.
Leading Canadian companies that had been awarded C$36.7 million ($23.7 million) in contracts for the design and construction of Envisat include ABB Bomem of Quebec City, COM DEV of Cambridge, Ontario and EMS Technologies of Saint-Hubert, Quebec.
The satellite was carried into orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket from the Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guiana.
Industry Minister Allan Rock says the Canadian participation in Envisat is an "outstanding example of international partnerships that help ensure Canada remains at the forefront of discovery and keeps Canadian companies at the cutting edge of new technologies."
Source: Flight Daily News
