image source: http://images.spaceref.com/news/radarsat.2.jpg
RADARSAT-2 is the product of a unique public-private sector partnership. This partnership is leveraging Canada's renowned leadership in the
development, operation and marketing of advanced and highly specialized remote-sensing technologies and applications.
www.spaceref.ca...
The public/private bit is important.
Ruling on sale of Radarsat-2, Canadarm to U.S. arms maker delayed
The federal government is taking an extra 30 days before it makes a decision on the controversial proposed sale of the Radarsat-2 and the Canadarm
technology to a U.S.-based arms maker.
Industry Minister Jim Prentice informed U.S.-based weapons and rocket manufacturer Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, on Thursday that he wouldn't meet the
Saturday deadline to approve or reject the company's plan to acquire the satellite and space businesses of Richmond, B.C.,-based MacDonald, Dettwiler
and Associates Ltd., or MDA.
Prentice had until Saturday to review the $1.3-billion deal under rules of the Investment Canada Act.
www.cbc.ca...
Hmmm... the best resource we have to keep our eyes on the Arctic is potentially to be sold to an American Arms manufacturer. What is going on here?
Critics of the sale, including former Canadian Space Agency head Marc Garneau, had called on Prentice to block the deal, arguing it handed over
taxpayer-funded technology and, in the case of Radarsat-2, gave away technology designed to protect Canada's sovereignty
www.cbc.ca...
No wonder! I'm a little taken aback as well. Why, with the Northwest Passage now seemingly becoming a reality, would we dump our best equipment to
keep watch?
I smell conspiracy here.
Under a deal between MDA and the government — which contributed $430 million to the project through the Canadian Space Agency — MDA owns the
satellite and can generate revenues from commercial contracts with other nations, while federal government departments in turn will be able to access
information from the satellite at no cost.
Critics have questioned whether or not Canada's access to that data would remain if the satellite was sold to a U.S.-based firm.
Cullin told CBC News ATK will honour MDA's agreements with Canada and provide the same access to imagery that they have with Radarsat under Canadian
ownership.
"The conditions for preserving Canadian government access to the satellite in events of an emergent event or issues of national security will be
retained intact with the same guidelines that currently exist," he said. "There's no nuancing to that. That is absolutely something we
www.cbc.ca...
Oh yes, if there's something the Canadian Government needs to know, then they'll be sure to give us a call and send some pics... UNLESS, of couse,
it is in the National interest of the American government NOT to disclose it. In fact, I believe the company would be legally bound to zip their
lips.
Didn't the United States recently make the statement that they considered the Northwest Passage
outside of the jurisdiction of Canada?
Finding that online might be harder, but I'll look.
Here's what I think... Harper, who is bound and determined to stay allied with the Bush administration, has decided that McCain will win and the
status quo will remain in power. He may well be right.
However, what gives him the right to sell this VERY important technology, built by Canadian tax payer money funnelled into a private Canadian firm, to
an American arms manufacturer and providing THEM with the means of guarding our own northern shores.
Something smells and it isn't last nights chili.
