# RADARSAT Constellation Mission
*missions*

## Specifications
- **operator**: csa-asc
- **current status**: operational
- **actual launch**: 2019-06-12
- **platform**: rcm-smallsat-bus
- **launch vehicle**: spacex-falcon-9
- **orbit type**: SSO 586-615 km, 97.74 deg inclination
- **swath km**: 500
- **tasking supported**: true
- **current geographic priority**: Canada-focused maritime surveillance, ecosystem monitoring and disaster management with global SAR continuity
- **entity type**: mission
- **last verified date**: 2026-06-21
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: agency-sourced
- **provider**: csa-asc
- **attributes**: {"operator":"csa-asc","current_status":"operational","actual_launch":"2019-06-12","platform":"rcm-smallsat-bus","launch_vehicle":"spacex-falcon-9","orbit_type":"SSO 586-615 km, 97.74 deg inclination","swath_km":500,"tasking_supported":true,"current_geographic_priority":"Canada-focused maritime surveillance, ecosystem monitoring and disaster management with global SAR continuity"}

## Editorial
RADARSAT Constellation Mission is Canada's third generation of Earth-observation satellites, built as three identical spacecraft launched on 2019-06-12.[^csa-rcm-overview] Each spacecraft carries a synthetic aperture radar payload and a secondary AIS payload for ship detection.[^csa-rcm-components] The bus is a Canadian SmallSat design; spacecraft mass is 1400 kg, and the orbit is a 586-615 km sun-synchronous orbit.[^csa-rcm-components][^csa-radarsat-comparison] The constellation is active.[^csa-radarsat-comparison]

## Compositional position
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[mission_payloads]--> rcm-c-sar (products)
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[mission_payloads]--> rcm-ais-receiver (products)
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[mission_buses]--> rcm-smallsat-bus (products)
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[related-topic]--> sea-ice (topics)
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[related-topic]--> oil-spill (topics)
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[related-topic]--> vessel-tracking (topics)
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[related-topic]--> flooding (topics)
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission --[related-topic]--> soil-moisture (topics)

## Sources
- [csa-rcm-overview] | RADARSAT Constellation Mission, Canadian Space Agency | https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/default.asp | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-21
- [csa-rcm-components] | Components and specifications, Canadian Space Agency | https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/technical-features/components.asp | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-21
- [csa-radarsat-comparison] | RADARSAT satellites: Technical comparison, Canadian Space Agency | https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/technical-features/radarsat-comparison.asp | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-21

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Source: https://eo-atlas.org/missions/rcm
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)