T-Minus Space Daily: "Canada Expands RADARSAT"

Podcast: T-Minus Space Daily
Host: Maria Varmazes, N2K Networks
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Canadian investment in new RADARSAT Earth observation satellites, outlines recent contracts and partnerships in the global space sector, highlights national and commercial expansions in radar and satellite intelligence, and provides a global overview of recent and upcoming space launches. Technical, policy, and research implications for the space industry are discussed with urgency and clarity, all in the signature rapid-fire, news-focused tone of T-Minus Space Daily.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada Expands RADARSAT Constellation

(Core Story, 02:28–05:20)

• Announcement:
  The Canadian government is contracting MDA Space to build, test, and launch an additional radar imaging satellite, fortifying the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM).

• Contract Details:

  • Awarded by Public Services and Procurement Canada, for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
  • Initial contract: ~$44.7 million for procurement and delivery of critical long lead parts.
  • Full mission contract expected in 2026 after approvals.

• Strategic Context:
  Part of a 15-year, $1.012 billion RADARSAT initiative—announced by CSA in October 2023—to fulfill current and future Earth observation needs.

  • Includes immediate replenishment and seeds development for a next-generation national synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system.

  "These contracts are part of the Government of Canada's 1.012 billion RADARSAT initiative, which is a 15-year investment...to support immediate and future satellite Earth observation needs."
  – Maria Varmazes (03:50)

2. U.S. Intelligence and Space Partnerships

(04:21–05:00)

• HawkEye 360 Contract Extension:

  • 23 more months of NRO and Commercial Systems Program Office funding.
  • Enables new satellite tech, expanded signal/frequency coverage, and advanced AI for faster, more accurate support of U.S. European Command and allied readiness.

• Importance:
  Highlights the intersection of AI, commercial innovation, and government security requirements in real-time space-based intelligence.

3. CASIS Continues Managing ISS National Laboratory

(05:01–05:45)

• NASA's Cooperative Agreement Extension:

  • CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space) remains manager through 2030.
  • Responsible for half of NASA’s ISS crew time and cargo allocation for scientific operations.

• Impact:
  Sustains access to microgravity for diverse research and market growth in low Earth orbit.

  "CASIS has managed the ISS national lab since 2011 and is responsible for up to 50% of NASA’s flight allocation...and crew time dedicated to supporting science."
  – Maria Varmazes (05:28)

4. Small Business Innovation and Radar for Space Debris

(05:50–06:38)

• CITASpace & MOBLOX with NASA's SBIR Award:
  • MOBLOX receives $173,000 for a study to design a 4D radar onboard a CITASpace satellite.
  • Intelligence focus: centimeter-scale orbital debris tracking.
  • CITASpace provides integration expertise for power, navigation, and payload support.
• Significance:
  Targets space sustainability and situational awareness as orbital traffic increases.

5. Speculation: OpenAI CEO Eyes Space Industry Moves

(06:39–07:24)

• WSJ Report:

  • Sam Altman reportedly explored building a rocket company and in-space data centers.
  • Talks with Stokespace occurred but are not ongoing.

• Industry Take:
  Billionaire interest in space and space-enabled AI/data center platforms is accelerating.

  "It does feel like the billionaire race to space is on in earnest. Space data centers are the new hot ticket."
  – Maria Varmazes (07:08)

6. News Briefs & Headlines

(07:39–08:14)

• RTX's Raytheon partners with AWS to boost services for space customers.
• Castilian closes $350M Series B focused on hypersonics (military, not transport).
• NASA and partners will launch a commercial robotic arm to LEO in 2027 (Fly Foundation Robotics mission).

7. Space Traffic Report (with NASASpaceflight.com/Alicia Siegel)

(09:59–16:28)

Global Launch Activity

• Record Month: November saw 31 launches, first time the total surpassed days in a month.
• SpaceX: Dominates—13 launches in November, targeting 170 launches in 2025.
• China: 9 launches in November; close to 80 annual launches, developing reusable rockets (Like Landspace's Zhuque 3).

Key Launches (Timestamps included in NASASpaceflight segment):

• Nov 30: China—Chongjung 7A, Shijin 28 satellite (12:20 UTC).
• Dec 1: SpaceX Starlink—29 V2 minis (7:44 UTC), Florida.
• Dec 1: Vega C—COMPSAT 7 for Korea (17:21 UTC), French Guiana.
• Dec 2: Two SpaceX Starlink launches (5:28 UTC Vandenberg, 22:18 UTC Florida).
• Dec 3: Landspace Zhuque 3 medium-lift methane rocket debut; missed landing but reached orbit (progress toward Chinese booster recovery).
• Dec 4: SpaceX—Starlink, marks SpaceX's 600th launch overall (20:42 UTC, Vandenberg).

Future Launch Preview

• Up to 8 Chinese launches next week.

• SpaceX to attempt 5 Falcon 9 launches (4 Starlink, 1 NROL mission with booster RTLS in Florida).

• 2 Rocket Lab launches anticipated.

• Soyuz MS-27 crew return for Roscosmos & NASA.

  "Whether you're excited about these developments or not, China developing its own reusable rockets is now a matter of when, not if, and the country is moving quickly in that direction."
  – Alicia Siegel (14:55)

8. Ham Radio Challenge: Cornell CHIPSAT Light Sail

(17:06–18:51)

• CubeSat with laser light sail launched from ISS—carries 4 "chipsat" computers.

• Call to action for ham radio community:
  Receive low-powered telemetry on 437.400 MHz/Lora digital protocol during sail deployment. Transmission window: ~48 hours.

• Community contribution sought:
  Data will help chart light sail + chipsat combo performance.

  "That's your window, Earth hams. So if you have a satellite-ready ham radio station, dust off that dish or high gain antenna."
  – Maria Varmazes (17:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "These contracts are part of the Government of Canada's 1.012 billion RADARSAT initiative, which is a 15-year investment...to support immediate and future satellite Earth observation needs."
  — Maria Varmazes (03:50)
• "It does feel like the billionaire race to space is on in earnest. Space data centers are the new hot ticket."
  — Maria Varmazes (07:08)
• "Whether you're excited about these developments or not, China developing its own reusable rockets is now a matter of when, not if, and the country is moving quickly in that direction."
  — Alicia Siegel (14:55)
• "That's your window, Earth hams. So if you have a satellite-ready ham radio station, dust off that dish or high gain antenna."
  — Maria Varmazes (17:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Canada RADARSAT Expansion: 02:28–05:20
• U.S. Space Contracts; ISS National Lab: 04:20–05:45
• SBIR Radar / Space Debris: 05:50–06:38
• OpenAI CEO/Space Speculation: 06:39–07:24
• Headlines Brief: 07:39–08:14
• NASASpaceflight.com Space Traffic Report: 09:59–16:28
• Ham Radio/CHIPSAT Light Sail: 17:06–18:51

Tone & Language

Maria Varmazes’ delivery is fast-paced, energetic, and information-dense, focused on actionable news and expert context for space sector professionals and enthusiasts.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive yet succinct rundown of critical developments in the global space industry, as well as for those following Canadian and ISS policy, commercial partnerships, and the latest in orbital launch statistics.