Canada's prime minister endorsed the development of a constellation of Radarsat remote sensing satellites Wednesday, promising $397 million in fresh funding over the next five years.

Artist's concept of the Radarsat Constellation Mission. Credit: CSA

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement Wednesday confirming his support of the project, saying it will create jobs, help protect the environment, and secure Canada's sovereignty.

"By supporting the world-class Radarsat Constellation Mission, our government will ensure Canada maintains its role as a world leader in aerospace technology," Harper said. "This cutting-edge project will create highly-skilled jobs, and attract the world's best scientists, technicians and engineers to Canada's world-renowned space industry."

The Harper government's 2010 budget plan released in March calls for $397 million in new spending for the Radarsat Constellation mission, which will include three satellites launched separately in 2014 and 2015.

Most of the spending will occur after 2011 and 2012, according to budget documents.

The $397 million budget line will be added to $100 million from the Canadian Space Agency's existing finances.

Although the government already applied funds for the Radarsat constellation, Prime Minister Harper's statement reinforces his support for the new satellites.

The Canadian Space Agency and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. have been working on the new Radarsat mission since 2005. The program's $86 million design phase should be finished by 2012, setting the stage for spacecraft construction.

Radarsat 1 and Radarsat 2, launched in 1995 and 2007, are still returning radar imagery with a peak resolution of 3 meters, or less than 10 feet.

The Radarsat Constellation Mission will continue the program's observation legacy beyond 2020 and improve the timeliness and reliability of image products.

Unlike Radarsat 2, which is owned and operated by private industry, the new satellite fleet will be run by the Canadian government.

Radarsat satellites are equipped with sensitive synthetic aperture radars designed to collect imagery regardless of weather or the time of day.

Canada says it uses Radarsat data for marine reconnaissance, border security, crop monitoring, and disaster relief applications. Radarsat imagery is also available commercially.

"The Radarsat project has consistently allowed us to defend our Arctic sovereignty, protect the Arctic ecosystem, and develop our resources," Harper said. "This new phase of Radarsat will ensure we stay at the forefront of these priorities."