The Missions TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X: Status, Challenges, Future Perspectives

Abstract

TerraSAR-X is a new German radar satellite that was launched in June 15, 2007. It carries a high frequency X-band SAR sensor that can be operated in three different modes and various polarizations. The Spotlight-, Stripmap- and ScanSAR-modes provide high resolution images for detailed analysis as well as wide swath data whenever a larger coverage is required. On June 21, 2010 the almost identical spacecraft TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) was launched, opening a new era in spaceborne radar remote sensing. A single-pass SAR interferometer with adjustable baselines in across- and in along-track directions is formed by flying the two satellites in a closely controlled formation. With typical across-track baselines of 200 m – 400 m a global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with 2 m relative height accuracy at a 12 m posting will be generated.