The Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF) has grown to accommodate three antennas, one owned by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), one by a partnership between SSC (formerly the Swedish Space Corporation) and France’s Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES), and one by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). SSC is installing their second antenna on the site in 2015. The ISSF is poised for significant further development.
NRCan’s new antennas are capable of receiving data from, and sending commands to, the new generation of Earth observation satellites. In the near future, data reception from a number of new satellite missions, including the upcoming, leading edge RADARSAT Constellation Mission will be added to reception services that currently include RADARSAT 2 and Landsat 8.
NRCan maintains three ground stations strategically placed across Canada to allow for the acquisition of geospatial data across the entire Canadian landmass. These stations are located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Gatineau, Quebec; and Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
NRCan’s satellite reception facilities provide access to important sources of data that are vital for Government of Canada environmental monitoring and stewardship, sustainable economic development and supporting sovereignty and security. Satellite imagery obtained via NRCan’s ground stations is often a critical source of information for research carried out by Canadian scientists. Today, it is of particular importance in understanding and monitoring a changing northern environment to further advance Canada’s knowledge of the Arctic and strengthen Canadian leadership in polar science and technology.
Established in 1972, the Prince Albert Satellite Station is centrally situated to receive the majority of data of the North American landmass. The Gatineau Satellite Station was established in 1986 and receives Earth observation data on Canada’s eastern landmass and navigation routes. The ISSF was established in 2010 in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and PrioraNet Canada (PNC). Situated above the Arctic Circle, the ISSF is ideally positioned to track and receive data in real-time from polar orbiting Earth observation satellites.
In 2012, the Minister of Natural Resources announced $38.9 million for the purchase and installation of state-of-the-art technology for NRCan’s three satellite station facilities. The Gatineau Satellite Station received one new 12-metre antenna, the Prince Albert Satellite Station two new 13-metre antennas, and a 13-metre antenna and fully automated operations building were installed at the ISSF. The funding also provided for the procurement of additional land to better position the ISSF as an Earth observation destination for the world.
Alexandra Lemieux
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
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