The launch provider, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has been awarded a contract by the Canadian spacecraft manufacturing firm, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), to launch the three satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) on a single Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The launch is planned to take place in 2018. RCM is a three satellite constellation designed to provide maritime surveillance, disaster management and ecosystem monitoring. RCM is being built for the Canadian Space Agency by MDA under a contract which includes delivery into orbit. The mission follows on from the successful RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 spacecraft.
SpaceX is planning to conduct its first mission for MDA. this year, launching the CASSIOPE satellite on the latest V1.1 version of its Falcon 9 rocket.
