The Future of TanDEM-X: Final DEM and Beyond

Kurzfassung

The goal of TanDEM-X to acquire the data for the generation of a global, high-accurate, and homogeneous digital elevation model (DEM) of the Earth’s surface has been accomplished in 2014. The following 1.5 years were dedicated to scientific exploitation of the mission. Thanks to the flexibility of operating the two satellites in different interferometric and imaging constellations, several experimental modes were realized. These data is used in several scientific applications ranging from geology to oceanography in order to demonstrate new and innovative SAR techniques. In the following years the bistatic formation will be used to acquire DEMs with even higher Resolution and further improve relative accuracy in local areas. In Addition, temporally Independent updates of parts of the global DEM will be provided. This paper provides an overview of the DEM acquisition status together with the plans for the upcoming years of the mission.