{"id":772306,"date":"2023-11-12T02:34:52","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T06:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=772306"},"modified":"2023-11-12T02:34:52","modified_gmt":"2023-11-12T06:34:52","slug":"the-radarsat-constellation-mission-captures-its-millionth-image-of-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=772306","title":{"rendered":"The RADARSAT Constellation Mission captures its millionth image of Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"


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<\/p>\nImage credits<\/summary>\n

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RADARSAT Constellation Mission imagery \u00a9 Government of Canada (


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  • Dromadaire G\u00e9o-Innovations<\/span><\/li>\n

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  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada<\/li>\n

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  • Natural Resources Canada <\/li>\n

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  • Effigis<\/li>\n

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  • Environment and Climate Change Canada <\/li>\n

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  • Ducks Unlimited Canada<\/li>\n

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  • Natural Resources Canada Emergency Geomatics Service<\/li>\n

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  • Landsat 8 image courtesy of the U.S.<\/abbr> Geological Survey. Contains modified data from the Sentinel-1<\/span> mission from ESA<\/span>‘s Copernicus initiative<\/li>\n

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    The three satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM<\/abbr>), which have been orbiting some 600\u00a0km<\/abbr> from our planet since


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    The RCM<\/abbr> one millionth image, acquired on


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    The RCM<\/abbr> is the most recent mission in the RADARSAT program, which began in

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    RCM<\/abbr> data is used by more than ten federal departments to provide services to Canadians in areas such as maritime surveillance, disaster management and ecosystem monitoring. To illustrate the many ways in which this benefits our lives, here are a few colourized images from the RCM<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n


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    Floods<\/h2>\n

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    Image produced using data from the RCM<\/abbr> shows the areas flooded by the Red River Flood in


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    This image produced using data from the RCM<\/abbr> shows the areas flooded by the Red River Flood in

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    The Red River runs from south to north. It serves as the border between North Dakota and Minnesota in the United States, all the way up to Manitoba in Canada. It has been subject to recurring floods. The situation became concerning in spring

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    RCM<\/abbr> data is used by public safety officials to facilitate flood predictions, response activities in affected areas and restoration of those areas.<\/p>\n


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    Agriculture<\/h2>\n

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    Image produced using data from the RCM<\/abbr> that shows an agricultural area in Alberta. The different types of crops are in shades of yellow and brown, while forests and wetlands are in green and purple. (Credit: RADARSAT Constellation Mission imagery \u00a9 Government of Canada [


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    Understanding the state and trends in agricultural production is essential to combat threats to agricultural production and to ensure profitability in the sector. The Earth Observation Team of the Science and Technology Branch at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada began the process of generating annual crop inventory digital maps, namely by using RCM<\/abbr> data. This image shows an agricultural area in Alberta, its different types of crops (shades of yellow and brown), which are distinct from the forests and wetlands. Satellite imagery can be used to estimate the condition of crops and to determine the amount of cropland and the type of crop (e.g.<\/abbr> wheat, barley, soybean) as well as the volume that will be produced, for example. Farmers and agronomists use these maps to assess soil and crop properties, and to inform their actions to optimize crop yield and farm sustainability.<\/p>\n


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    Ice<\/h2>\n

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    Satellite image produced using data from the RCM<\/abbr> that shows the Mackenzie River, in the Northwest Territories. Each colour in the image represents the different states of water. (Credit: RADARSAT Constellation Mission imagery \u00a9 Government of Canada [


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    This image of the Mackenzie River, in the Northwest Territories, taken on

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    Natural Resources Canada’s Emergency Geomatics Service uses satellite imagery to actively monitor ice break-up and flooding in the spring to generate maps showing ice conditions and flooded areas to support emergency response operations across Canada.<\/p>\n

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    RCM<\/abbr> data helps ensure safe and efficient navigation through sea ice by providing information on ice quality, density and resistance as well as on the ice formation cycle. It supports the commercial maritime sector in Canada.<\/p>\n


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    Biodiversity and wetlands<\/h2>\n

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    Satellite image that shows La Mauricie<\/span> National Park in Quebec, Canada. A river and many lakes are in black, coniferous forests are in green and the deciduous forests are in beige. A town is located along the river, towards the bottom. (Credit: RADARSAT Constellation Mission imagery \u00a9 Government of Canada [


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    La Mauricie<\/span> National Park is located on the edge of the Canadian Shield, which is characterized here by rounded terrain and dotted with numerous lakes. This product is composed of three\u00a0images. The colours from the Landsat image in the visible spectrum acquired on

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    There are also hundreds of lakes in black. Radar technology is particularly useful for monitoring lakes and wetlands. Wetlands have many benefits, including absorbing the impact of large waves or floods; filtering residues and toxic elements; supplying food and vital habitat for many wildlife species; and providing us with sources of food, energy and materials. In order to conserve and carefully use the resources available in wetlands, it is necessary to map and classify them. The RCM<\/abbr> provides data to the Canadian Wetland Inventory.<\/p>\n


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    Change detection<\/h2>\n

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    <\/p>\nText version – Greater Montreal region<\/span><\/summary>\n

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    Satellite image of the Greater Montreal region. The image shows the Island of Montreal and Laval, as well as the Lower Laurentians (north of Laval) and part of the Mont\u00e9r\u00e9gie region (south of Montreal).<\/p>\n

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    Each colour in the image represents different geographical features.<\/p>\n

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