RADARSAT-1 Precision Transponders

Canada developed RADARSAT-1, the world's first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth observation satellite, to monitor environmental change and natural resources.

Under contract to the Canadian Space Agency, MPB completed the design, development, manufacture and installation of the four high-precision active transponders for the satellite calibration.

The transponders are installed across Canada (at Fredericton, NB; Ottawa, Ont.; Prince Albert, Sask.; and Resolute, NWT) so that RADARSAT can be calibrated from one of the units with every pass over the country. They are under remote control from a central facility in Ottawa.

ENVISAT Precision Transponders

MPB built three transponders for ESA, for the calibration of the ENVISAT earth monitoring satellite.

The three transponders, known as Active Radar Calibration units, are located in Flevoland in The Netherlands and are arranged on an east-west line. The three cover the approximately 100-km wide beam pattern as it sweeps along parallel to the north-south satellite path. At 20 km spacing, they provide calibration across the swath, and azimuth beam shape at three points in the elevation pattern.