MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. will begin development of a constellation of Earth observation satellites under a Cdn. $7 million contract ($6 million) from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the organizations announced March 13.

Under the contract, MacDonald Dettwiler will begin the design of a three-satellite system, dubbed the Radarsat Constellation. The three spacecraft will continue to provide radar satellite imagery currently collected by the Radarsat-1 satellite, with Radarsat-2 scheduled to be launched in December.

Under the contract, awarded on behalf of the CSA by Public Works and Government Services Canada, MacDonald Dettwiler will begin development of critical technological concepts, deliver the conceptual design documentation for the mission and conduct a formal system requirements review with the CSA.

“The small satellite constellation will enhance Canada’s ability to ensure its sovereignty and security through space-borne coastal surveillance,” Maxime Bernier, Canada’s Minister of Industry and minister responsible for the CSA, said in a statement. “It will also ensure the continuity of data services for government departments and a growing number of commercial clients in more than 60 countries worldwide.”

The CSA’s 2005 budget allocated more than Cdn. $200 million ($172.3 million) toward development of radar satellite surveillance technology throughout the next five years.