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After the planned launch next month, Canada's $ 1 billion showcase satellite system stays on the ground.
The three satellite packages, known as the Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM), were supposed to be awarded in orbit from the California launch pad sometimes from 18 to 24 February.
But the problem with the SpaceX Amplifier rocket has been delayed for an indefinite period – the sixth delay to reach a project that is hampered by technical and budget problems.
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates created Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) satellites for $ 705 million. Since then, the company has mastered US-based Maxar Technologies. (Richard Lam / Canadian Press)
On December 5, the Falcon 9 first-stage rocket launcher successfully launched an unmanned cargo capsule from Florida, located at the International Space Station.
The pressure amplifier was designed to have a soft, vertical descent eight minutes after the launch of the Canaveral Cape. But SpaceX founder Elons Musks said the hydraulic pump failed, affecting the nozzle used to control the amplifier, causing it to enter the sea only at sea.
The first-stage amplifier was redesigned to launch the RCM satellite package from Vandenberg Air Base in California in February.
This delay is not expected to increase project costs …– Representative of the Canadian Space Agency
"Unfortunately, missile landing was unsuccessful, preventing SpaceX from recovering reusable components for launching RCM," said Audrey Barbier, Canadian Space Agency responsible for satellites.
"We continue to work closely with MDA [MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., the satellite manufacturer] and SpaceX to confirm RCM start date. This delay is not expected to increase the cost of the RCM project. "
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) is a company based in Vancouver and built by Canadarm and the first Radarsat satellites using synthetic aperture radar to capture ground surface images even through clouds and fog. The MDA is owned and operated by Radarsat 2, but the new Radarsat Constellation mission belongs to the Canadian government.
Falcon water descent tracking pic.twitter.com/6Hv2aZhLjM
& mdash;@elonmusk
The Radarsat Constellation mission will use the Radarsat trio, which was launched to cover around 90 percent of the Earth's surface, providing detailed images to help protect the Canadian coast and the north.
Since then, the MDA has been absorbed by the US company Maxar Technologies, which has been unsuccessful when its WorldView-4 Earth Observation Satellite was not able to handle just over two years after its launch in November 2016. Maxar's stocks fell after the announcement of January 7, as losses will significantly reduce revenue.
The mission of Radarsat Constellation, a Canadian premiere space project, has missed a number of launch dates. In 2013, the MDA fixed price contract was $ 706 million claimed on July 17, 2018, launched by SpaceX Falcon 9.
Explosive properties
In June 2015, the Falcon 9 rocket explosion threatened the launch schedules by pushing forward dates.
And MDA found fault in one of the three RadarSat at the end of 2017, requesting repairs in Germany and another start-up delay.
Elon Musks, founder of SpaceX, tweeted that the hydraulic problem with the Falcon 9 amplifier caused an unexpected landing. (Kyle Grillot / Reuters)
In 2008, the Cabinet approved a $ 600 million budget for the project. Since then, the Canadian Space Agency, with the exception of MDA $ 706 million, added $ 1 billion.
The Agency has not made any insurance to cover the unsuccessful start-up, and it would cost US $ 600 million or more for at least three years to replace the three satellites if they were destroyed or rendered unusable.
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