According to the Canadian Space Agency,
RADARSAT-1 is a sophisticated Earth observation satellite developed by Canada to monitor environmental changes and the planet's natural resources.
Launched in November 1995, RADARSAT-1 provides Canada and the world with an operational radar satellite system capable of timely delivery of large amounts of data. Equipped with a powerful synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument, it acquires images of the Earth day or night, in all weather and through cloud cover, smoke and haze.
Canada also operates RADARSAT-2:
Launched in December 2007, Canada's next-generation commercial radar satellite offers powerful technical advancements that will enhance marine surveillance, ice monitoring, disaster management, environmental monitoring, resource management and mapping in Canada and around the world.
This project represents a unique collaboration between government and industry. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) will own and operate the satellite and ground segment. The Canadian Space Agency helps fund the construction and launch of the satellite and will recover this investment through the supply of RADARSAT-2 data to the Government of Canada during the lifetime of the mission.
Both satellites operate in non-GSO orbits with altitudes randing from 792-813 km, and an orbital inclination of 98.6 deg. The peak radiated power for RADARSAT-1 is 4350 W, and for RADARSAT-2 it is 2400 or 3700 W.
Additional satellites in the RADARSAT series are planned, including RADARSAT-3 and RADARSAT-Next Generation (RNG).