Saint-Hubert, Quebec, March 6, 2002 – The Canadian Space Agency (CSA),
RADARSAT International (RSI) and the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural
Development of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador have reached an
Agreement to provide the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador access to
RADARSAT-1 data and data products at favourable government rates, as
negotiated with RSI, the Canadian company responsible for the worldwide
marketing, processing, and distribution of RADARSAT-1 data.
Canadian provinces participate in the RADARSAT Program through two types of
Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU). Provinces with companies capable of
building a portion of the space or ground segment signed Contributing
Provinces MOUs (British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan). All the
other provinces were invited to sign Participating Provinces MOUs and
pre-paid certain funds to the CSA for the right to purchase RADARSAT-1 data
at favourable government rates.
Under this Agreement, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will become
a Program Partner and will obtain RADARSAT-1 data at the same costs as all
other federal, provincial and program partners.
This Agreement, which completes the series of MOUs with the provinces, will
help the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador meet the growing demand for
imaging from space supporting numerous applications, notably environmental
monitoring for offshore oil and gas operations and fishing, vessel and ice
surveillance.
About RSI
RSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates
(TSE:MDA – www.mda.ca), is a worldwide provider of products and information
solutions derived from Earth Observation (EO) satellite data.
About the CSA
Established in 1989 and headquartered in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian
Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space Program. Through
its Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development business line,
the CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the Environment; Space
Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite Communications; Generic Space
Technologies; Space Qualification Services; and Comptrollership and
Awareness. The Canadian Space Agency is at the forefront of the development
and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and
humanity.
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Information:
Monique Billette
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: 450-926-4370
