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NORWAY AND CANADA CONTINUE EARTH OBSERVATION 
CO-OPERATION WITH RADARSAT-2 PROGRAM

Saint-Hubert, Quebec - March 10, 2003 - The Norwegian Space Centre 
(NSC), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Natural Resources Canada, 
announced a long-term agreement to continue their collaboration in 
radar-based Earth observation. 

With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the three
organizations and the signing of agreements between the major 
commercial partners in Canada and Norway, a seamless transition 
between the RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 programs for Norway is assured.

"By signing this agreement with Norway, the Government of Canada is
reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Canadian space industry 
and building on our expertise in Earth observation," said Industry 
Minister Allan Rock. "With its leading-edge instruments, the 
RADARSAT-2 satellite will help us monitor and protect the Earth." 

Since the 1980s, Norway has pioneered the development of SAR 
(Synthetic Aperture Radar) applications for ship detection and oil 
pollution detection, and has been involved in the development of 
algorithms and processor technology for near real time processing of 
SAR data through the work of NSC, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) 
and Kongsberg Spacetec (KSPT). 

Canada is a world leader in SAR technology.  The nation's successful
RADARSAT-1 program has provided a strong foundation for this work 
through the CSA and the program's commercial partners MacDonald, 
Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and RADARSAT International (RSI).  The 
Norwegian Space Centre was instrumental in establishing reception of 
Radarsat-1 data at the Tromso Satellite Station in 1996. The data has 
been used for operational ocean monitoring, ship detection and oil 
pollution detection.  

As part of this overall collaboration, NSC has agreed to invest $15 
million (CDN) in order to get access to RADARSAT-2 data from RSI for 
national and commercial use.

As the prime contractor and owner/operator of RADARSAT-2, MDA will 
work with Kongsberg Spacetec to enable Spacetec's current customers to 
use SAR data from RADARSAT-2. They will jointly develop the necessary 
adaptations to the RADARSAT-1 processing systems required for 
RADARSAT-2.  This cooperation will ensure that Kongsberg Spacetec can 
continue to support its current customer base, and provide a smooth 
transition to the RADARSAT-2 program. 

In addition, RSI and KSAT have entered into an agreement for the 
commercial utilization of the data. This agreement covers data 
reception at the KSAT facilities in Tromso and Svalbard, rights for 
distribution of data in Scandinavia and the Baltic states and 
worldwide rights for distribution of derived information.  KSAT was 
the first organization to enter into a reception and distribution 
agreement for RADARSAT-1, and this latest agreement will ensure 
reception of RADARSAT-2 and continuous data supply to KSAT's growing 
customer base.

About Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada's Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) was
established in 1971.  CCRS is responsible for the acquisition of Earth
observation data, and for the development of remote sensing 
applications and related methodologies and systems. A division of 
Natural Resources Canada, CCRS plays an important and unique role in 
the international realms of remote sensing. In conjunction with the 
private sector, CCRS promotes the development of remote sensing 
technology and applications. The CCRS ensures that remote sensing is 
strategically applied, to better understand the Earth, the environment 
and the human impact upon them over time.  (www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca)

About the Canadian Space Agency
Established in 1989 with its headquarters situated in Saint-Hubert, 
Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the 
Canadian Space Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and 
Industry Development business line, the CSA delivers services 
involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in 
Space; Satellite Communications; Space Technology; Space Qualification 
Services; Space Awareness and Education. The Canadian Space Agency is 
at the forefront of the development and application of space knowledge 
for the benefit of Canadians and humanity. (www.space.gc.ca)       

About Radarsat International (RSI)
RSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates 
(TSX:  MDA - www.mda.ca), is worldwide provider of products and 
information solutions derived from Earth Observation (EO) satellite 
data.

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For more information:

Per Torbo
Information Director,
Norwegian Space Centre
Tel: + 47 2251 1817
Per.torbo{at}spacecentre.no
www.spacecentre.no

Monique Billette
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Tel: +1-450-926-4370
monique.billette{at}space.gc.ca
www.space.gc.ca

Willy Bruce
Communications
Natural Resources Canada
Tel: +1-613-996-2648
Willy.bruce{at}ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca
www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca

Kate Pilgrim
Communications
Radarsat International
Tel: +1-604-231-4988
kpligrim{at}rsi.ca
www.rsi.ca

Jan Petter Pedersen,
Vice President, 
Strategic Business Development,
Kongsberg Satellite Services,
Tel:+47 77 60 02 50
janp{at}ksat.no

Bjorn Kanck,
President,
Kongsberg Spacetec,
Tel: +47 77 60 80 00
bjorn{at}spacetec.no

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