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Sapphire

active
Missile Warning TrackingLEOCOSPAR 2013-009CLaunched 2/25/2013
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Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
SARAL/Sapphire
Launch Vehicle
PSLV CA
Launch Date
2/25/2013
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
778.5 km
Inclination
98.63 deg
Dry Mass
148 kg
Total Mass
148 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Missile Warning Tracking
Payload Category
EW
Payload Class
D
Organizations
Operator
Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)
Manufacturer
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL)
Registry
COSPAR ID
2013-009C
UN Registration
ST/SG/SER.E/671
Track
Mentions
24
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
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The Surveillance of Space 2 optical capability will eventually replace the Sapphire satellite, which launched in 2013.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.5Jul 20, 2026In Defence of Canada Briefing (Issue 18)

Canada has one dedicated military satellite called Sapphire.

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CapabilityValue 3.0Jul 10, 2026NATO Allies Plan to Stitch Together Sovereign Space Fleets

Canada’s new observatory network is intended to supplement the aging Sapphire satellite.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0Apr 22, 2026In Defence of Canada Briefing (Issue 6)

The Ground-Based Optical observatories are intended to work with the aging Sapphire satellite as part of the Surveillance of Space 2 project.

PlanCapabilityValue 2.5Apr 17, 2026SWF 2026 Counterspace report highlights electronic warfare threat and Canadian defence implications

Canada’s Surveillance of Space 2 program will use the observatories to bolster independent orbital object tracking capacity and add to Sapphire’s deep-space monitoring capabilities.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Apr 17, 2026U.K. Company to Deliver Optical Systems for Canadian Space Surveillance Program

Canada’s Sapphire satellite contributes to the U.S. Space Surveillance Network.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.0Apr 17, 2026SWF 2026 Counterspace report highlights electronic warfare threat and Canadian defence implications

Sapphire launched in 2013 and has operated well beyond its initial five-year design life.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.2Apr 14, 2026MDA Space taps UK-based Spaceflux for Canadian space surveillance observatories

The Surveillance of Space 2 observatories will support Canada’s independent space tracking capabilities and supplement deep-space monitoring provided by the military’s Sapphire satellite.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.1Apr 14, 2026MDA Space taps UK-based Spaceflux for Canadian space surveillance observatories

Canada’s Surveillance of Space 2 programme is intended to complement Canada’s Sapphire satellite, which provides deep-space monitoring.

GeneralPlanValue 3.0Apr 13, 2026Spaceflux selected by MDA Space for Canadian space surveillance programme

Sanctuary on the Moon is a lunar time capsule made of 24 synthetic sapphire discs.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Apr 6, 2026Iniziativa CLPS: NASA affida missione lunare a Intuitive Machines

Sanctuary is a passive time capsule payload containing sapphire discs that preserve examples of humanity’s achievements.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.2Mar 25, 2026NASA CLPS Award Expands Lunar Operations

MDA Space’s Ground-Based Optical observatories will work alongside Canada’s Sapphire military satellite to provide 24/7 space domain awareness.

RelationshipsCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Mar 23, 2026In Defence of Canada Briefing (Issue 2)

The new Ground-Based Optical network is designed to work with Canada’s Sapphire military satellite.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 3.5Mar 19, 2026The Defence Investment Agency taps MDA Space for $32M Surveillance of Space 2 observatories

The Sapphire satellite has operated significantly beyond its original five-year lifespan.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.0Mar 19, 2026The Defence Investment Agency taps MDA Space for $32M Surveillance of Space 2 observatories

The Sapphire satellite was launched in 2013.

GeneralValue 3.0Mar 19, 2026The Defence Investment Agency taps MDA Space for $32M Surveillance of Space 2 observatories

The Canadian Armed Forces will use the Ground-Based Optical observatories and Sapphire to continuously detect, track, and monitor deep-space objects.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Mar 19, 2026The Defence Investment Agency taps MDA Space for $32M Surveillance of Space 2 observatories

Sapphire is Canada’s first dedicated military space surveillance satellite and has provided precise tracking data since its 2013 launch.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Nov 27, 2025Remarks by Defence Minister David McGuinty at the SpaceBound conference

MDA's Sapphire, the first dedicated Canadian SDA satellite, launched in 2013 for the Department of National Defence.

GeneralValue 4.0Oct 2, 2025MDA Space discusses new standing offer for DND space situation awareness

Sapphire Canyon is one of the 27 rock samples collected by the rover since its landing in Jezero Crater in February 2021.

GeneralValue 3.5Sep 27, 2025Perseverance trova potenziali tracce di vita su Marte

The publication provides context for the habitability conditions observed at the potential biosignature sampling site, Sapphire Canyon.

GeneralValue 1.2Sep 26, 2025New Mars research reveals multiple episodes of habitability in Jezero Crater