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Sources: As linked

Polar Epsilon to asssert Canadian Arctic sovereignty

"With the successful launch of Canada’s RADARSAT-2 on December 14, 2007, the Department of National Defence’s Polar Epsilon project took another step towards strengthening Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic.

Reinforcing the Government of Canada’s integrated Northern Strategy, the $60 million space-based initiative will rely on RADARSAT-2 to provide enhanced land and sea surveillance capabilities for the Canadian Forces (CF) at home and abroad.

“Polar Epsilon will support Canadian Forces sovereignty patrols and operations, and strengthen Canada’s presence in the North,” said the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “Improved surveillance capabilities will allow a more efficient and timely Canadian Forces response to domestic and foreign crises and search and rescue operations.”

“Our Government is committed to advancing an integrated Northern Strategy, a key component of which is to strengthen our sovereignty in the Arctic,” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and non-Status Indians. “This initiative, to improve our surveillance capabilities in the Arctic, is another clear demonstration of this commitment.”

Polar Epsilon will improve the CF’s surveillance of Canada’s Arctic, including its ocean approaches, and reinforce Canada’s ocean monitoring and environmental sensing capabilities. Polar Epsilon augments the Canadian military presence in the Arctic. This presence underscores the Government’s objective of fostering a healthy and prosperous northern region within a strong and sovereign Canada.

Approved in May 2005, Polar Epsilon serves as a stepping-stone for the CF to maximize the use of space in order to meet Canada’s surveillance requirements. The project enhances awareness in areas where other means of surveillance are limited or unable to operate.

The Arctic surveillance capability of Polar Epsilon will be operational in the summer of 2008, and the entire project is expected to be complete by March 2011."

Source: Press Release

Editorial Note: The RADARSAT-2 project was a collaboration between government and industry. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) owns and operates the satellite. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) funded construction and launch of the satellite and is to recover its' investment through the supply of RADARSAT-2 data to the Canadian Government.

Earlier this week we covered the acquisition of MDA.

ATK acquires IS & Geospatial businesses of MacDonald Dettwiler

"Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) (has) announced ... that it has negotiated definitive agreements with Canadian-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (TSX: MDA), to acquire its Information Systems and Geospatial Information Services businesses for $1.325 billion (CDN).

With more than 1,900 employees and estimated FY09 revenues of approximately $500 million (U.S.), the MDA business ATK is acquiring is a global leader in space-based radar systems, space robotics, satellite systems, and imaging satellite ground stations and processing; with additional world-class capabilities in satellite payloads, C4ISR, and geospatial services. ...

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory and MDA shareholder approval, is expected to close early in the first quarter of the company's FY2009. ... This acquisition will establish ATK as a full-spectrum international space company, providing launch services, next-generation satellites, robotics, and the ground systems that will process and deliver mission critical information solutions. ...

Further, it will diversify ATK's portfolio into non-U.S. and commercial space markets, nearly doubling the company's international revenues. The transaction will also enhance ATK's existing and potential content in space exploration, Operationally Responsive Space, and C4ISR; while adding satellite ground station and geospatial imagery content."

Canadarm mounted on the shuttle Atlantis works on the International Space Station. Credit: from NASA animation