TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X Mission Status and an Outlook to the Future

Abstract

TerraSAR-X and its almost identical twin satellite TanDEM-X have provided high resolution radar images and Digital Elevation Models with unprecedented accuracy for years. Between December 2010 and early 2015, radar data of all land surfaces has been acquired and as of September 2016 the final global DEM dataset has been available. Furthermore a science phase generating radar products for scientific and technology related applications, was successfully conducted. As the satellites are still in good condition and resources are plentiful their mission was extended to generate a change layer as an update of the global DEM. This paper gives a summary of the current mission status and future planning. Furthermore, an outline of the proposed future Lband mission Tandem-L is drawn.