Sentinel-1: Input to System Calibration and Verification Concept

Abstract

In the frame of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security programme (GMES), ESA is undertaking the development of the Sentinel-1, an European polar orbit satellite system for the continuation of SAR operational applications in C-Band. The Sentinel-1 SAR mission is part of the GMES system, which is designed to provide an independent and operational information capacity to the European Union to warrant environment and security policies and to support sustainable economic growth. The present document describes the philosophy and concept of the calibration and verification of the Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar system, comprising both space and ground segments and taking the effects of the propagation path into account. It specifies the associated algorithms and tools and plans the relevant activities. The Sentinel-1 calibration concept is based on the methodology developed for TerraSAR-L, which is in turn based on heritage from ERS-1, SIR-C/X-SAR, SRTM, ENVISAT/ASAR as well as TerraSAR-X.