After building and testing the RADARSAT Constellation Mission ( RCM ) for more than five years, MDA , the Prime Contractor for the RCM , safely delivered the third and final spacecraft to its California-based sister company SSL on September 30, 2018 , in preparation for launch.

As you can imagine, transporting satellites over such long distances between two countries is no easy task. It requires lots of paperwork and intricate logistics. The process begins well before each spacecraft is packed and loaded onto the truck, which is a two-day affair. A customs officer even needs to be present when the container is being closed and sealed with anti-tampering devices.