D3: Final Report - SARSimHT-NG - Simulation of Hydroterra SAR System Performance in the Mediterranean and the Alps based on experimental airborne SAR data

Abstract

The main objective of the SARSimHT-NG study, as requested by ESA, is to assess the potential to obtain snow water equivalent (SWE) and surface soil moisture (SSM) measurements from future SAR systems in geosynchronous orbit [A1]. This assessment is based on data sets specifically collected in winter 2021 (SWE) and spring 2022 (SSM) with DLR's scientific airborne F-SAR radar system. In parallel to the radar measurements, extensive field work was carried out in both years, with the field data complementing the radar data. The data collection has been summarised in two data acquisition reports D1: DAR for SWE [A2] and D2: DAR for SSM [A3]. This report concludes the SARSimHT-NG study. It presents the results obtained by the project partners from the analyses of the two thematically distinct data sets and concludes with a summary of considerations for the design of future spaceborne SAR missions.