General: ‘Space is not cheap’
Canada talking to U.S., Norway and Denmark about footing bill for new Arctic satellite program
Canada is in discussions with Norway, Denmark and the U.S. on a billion-dollar satellite program that would significantly improve communications in the Arctic.
A request for bids on the project could come as early as next year, according to the Department of National Defence.
The satellite or satellites would be mainly for military use, providing around-the-clock communications in the high North. But the spacecraft could also have the added benefit improving communications for federal departments operating in the region.
A contract is expected to be awarded in 2020 for the Enhanced Satellite Communication Project. The spacecraft would be launched around 2024.
The project is worth more than $1.5 billion, according to the DND. Some planning estimates, however, put the final cost at around $2.4 billion.
Under the previous Conservative government, the military and the Canadian Space Agency proposed a plan for a system of satellites that could provide both communications and information about weather patterns in the far North. But that concept was scuttled as costs continued to rise.
On this new project, Canada has been involved in discussions with the U.S., Norway and Denmark to see if those countries are interested in helping fund part of the program, according to military officers.
At this point there is no official agreement on cost-sharing for the satellite program.
But the Canadian military’s officer in charge of space activities said in an interview in December with the Ottawa Citizen that sharing the cost of such programs between nations interested in the Arctic makes financial sense. “If there’s international interest, if we could share the cost, that would be what we are interested in pursuing,” said Brig.- Gen. Blaise Frawley. “Space is not cheap.” Frawley noted that such a communications spacecraft would have significant capability so it would make sense for other government departments and allies to take advantage of that.
It still has to be determined how many satellites would be needed. But military officers have suggested at least two spacecraft would be required.
“We want to get the project rolling now,” Frawley explained. “It does take time.”
Another satellite system would also be launched to handle military communications over the southern landmass of Canada.
Current communications satellites have gaps in their coverage over what is known as the high Arctic. That is why the military is looking specifically at having at least two satellites in an orbit over the North Pole.
Frawley said planning in advance for space systems is important because, unlike warships or aircraft that can last 30 or 40 years, spacecraft have a life expectancy of between five and 10 years. That short life cycle requires better planning. “When we field a constellation (of satellites) in space, if we’re not already thinking of the follow on, then we will have a gap in capability in a lot of cases,” he said.
In the meantime, Canada is preparing for the launch of a new series of surveillance satellites, called the Radarsat Constellation Mission.
That will be a follow-on program to the existing Radarsat 2 spacecraft.
But in this case, instead of a single satellite, the Radarsat Constellation Mission will use three radar-imaging satellites to conduct maritime and Arctic surveillance.
The first spacecraft is expected to be launched in the fall of 2018.
The Canadian Forces expects to use about 80 per cent of the data that the constellation will provide while the rest will go to other government departments, Frawley added.
He noted the U.S. is also interested in the capabilities the Radarsat Constellation Mission will provide.