Communications satellites
Communications satellites are the most cost-effective way for Canadian communities, especially those in the most isolated regions, to access telecommunications services. For example, they are used by search and rescue teams, provide geolocation data to ships and planes, and provide remote access to teachers across the country. They also send data to Internet and television service providers.
The various communications satellites
Active Canadian commercial satellites
M3MSat
Characteristics: Canadian satellite, active
The Canadian Maritime Monitoring and Messaging Microsatellite was launched on . Until , it was owned by DRDC and operated by the CSA. Its first mission was to demonstrate new technologies to:
- improve Canada's ability to locate ships and manage maritime traffic from space
- test a device that could change the way we monitor the health and safety of satellites in orbit
On , M3MSat embarked on a new commercial services mission under the ownership of Myriota Canada.
Anik F1
Characteristics: Canadian satellite, active
The satellite was launched on , on an Ariane 44L rocket. Its expected service life is 15 years.
The satellite:
- weighs 4,700 kg
- has 36 C-band transponders
- has 48 Ku-band transponders
Nimiq
Characteristics: Canadian satellite, active
The satellite was launched on , on a Russian Proton D-1e rocket. Its expected service life is 12 years.
The satellite:
- weighs 3,600 kg
- has 32 Ku-band transponders
MSAT
Characteristics: Canadian satellite, active
The satellite was launched on , on an Ariane 4 rocket. It occupies an inclined orbit.
The satellite:
- weighs 1,716 kg
- has L-band transponders
Anik E1
Characteristics: Canadian satellite, active
The satellite was launched on , on an Ariane 4 rocket. It occupies an inclined orbit.
The satellite:
- weighs 2,930 kg
- has 24 C-band transponders
- has 16 Ku-band transponders
Anik E2
Characteristics: Canadian satellite, active
The satellite was launched on , on an Ariane 4 rocket. It occupies an inclined orbit.
The satellite:
- weighs 2,930 kg
- has 24 C-band transponders
- has 16 Ku-band transponders
Canadian satellites in development
QEYSSat
Characteristics: Canadian satellite, in development
The objective of this Canadian mission is to demonstrate quantum key distribution in space, a technology that creates virtually unbreakable encryption codes.
The goal is to find a reliable data encryption method for:
- online banking
- smartphones
- computers
- cloud computing