Next generation Canadian satellites set to launch next week in California

The long awaited launch of Canada's three Earth-observation satellites known as the RADARSAT Constellation is scheduled for next week. Officials at the Canadian Space Agency provided an overview today of the next generation of Canadian satellites - a $1.2-billion project - and the type of work they will do ahead of the June 11 launch. The three satellites will be launched into orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites, which will use radar to locate ships, monitor ecosystems and keep an eye on the Arctic, among other tasks, are part of a government-owned mission. The trio will replace the RADARSAT-2 satellite, which has been in orbit since 2007. It was designed to last seven years, but is still operating while Constellation has been delayed.