Vanguard Magazine

Image 1: (Jose Maneul Gomex Imagery, 2007, NASA's visible Earth) 14 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 www.vanguardcanada.com SPACE multiple data demands for the same areas. Additionally, the security of data collect- ed for DND purposes differs from those of other departments. The CAF's support to military operations, and standing agree- ments with its allies, demand that the data collected be controlled in the interest of national and allied security. By contrast, other government departments prefer an open-source data policy that makes the data more available to others. Both requirements have merit and when com- bined with the capacity restrictions asso- ciated with a single whole of government system, it led DND to seek a separate, purpose-built constellation. Government funding for two EO con- stellations will be a considerable hurdle. DESSP is estimated to cost between 1 and 4.9 Billion dollars. That significant vari- ance in price is based on various capabil- ity options currently under review. The preferred option will be selected by DND when it reviews the capability options later this year. Current DESSP milestones out- line contract award in 2027, for a launch in 2033. At the same time, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is moving forward with the Earth Observation for Service Continuity (EOSC) project, which repre- sents the needs of other Canadian govern- ment departments that will require space- based EO data after RCM. Information such as soil moisture content, arctic sea ice movement and reduction levels, and for- estry studies, are but a few examples of the kind of ongoing domestic observations that EOSC would support, and the CSA has spent $4 million for studies that will explore possible future Canadian EO sys- tems. As mentioned earlier, the challenge for CSA is how to satisfy diversified re- quirements that demand different modes of operation, varying radar frequencies, the differential between camouflaged or hidden objects that contrast with the back- ground, and identify chemical composi- tions of materials. DESSP, as a dedicated DND EO con- stellation, is a departure from the whole of government use approach that RCM is currently servicing. Part of the reason for this is the increased demand for space- based ISR data to support CAF operations which would leave little room for other government departments' data require- ments. Departments such as Natural Re- sources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Transport Canada, Fish- eries and Oceans Canada, all compete for limited RCM EO coverage, each requiring specific, and often different, radar frequen- cies and beam-modes for optimal data col- lection. Thus, compromise normally results in less than ideal imagery for certain tasks as system operators try to accommodate The outline of the continental U.S. is easily identifiable, whereas the vast majority of Canada is barely visible, accentuating its sparsely populated northern regions. Yet, as a sovereign nation, the Canadian government must possess full control over the affairs within all of its geographical area.

• Cover