Illustration of the Radarsat 2 satellite. Photo: MDA

MDA, a Maxar Technologies company, signed a multi-million dollar contract with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) for a one-year maritime surveillance program that includes the delivery of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data products from the Rardarsat-2 satellite, using MDA’s global network of ground receiving stations. The contract includes two additional option years.

As part of the presidential program Operation Phakisa, SANSA has been tasked to acquire SAR imagery with the aim of enhancing the monitoring and protection of South Africa’s coastal regions and oceans. Initiatives under this program are considered crucial in accelerating the delivery of South Africa’s development priorities.

Under this contract, using Radarsat-2 information, MDA will provide systematic weekly broad-area surveillance over South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and on-demand high-resolution image acquisitions. Radarsat-2 Ocean Surveillance Mode is well suited for broad area maritime surveillance, and is unique as a single scene covers over 250,000 km2 and allows for the detection of ships and oil within the coastal and offshore regions regardless of light or weather condition.