TanDEM-X DEM Difficult Terrain&Antarctica Acquisitions towards the planing of the Science Phase

Abstract

The space-borne X-band SAR mission TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) will provide a digital elevation model (DEM) of the Earth’s land surface with an unprecedented relative vertical accuracy of 2m at a 12m posting. The two satellites are flying in close controlled formation, with the opportunity to adjust flexible along- and across-track baselines. They are currently acquiring images from difficult terrain and Antarctica for the DEM before entering in the last phase of the mission dedicated to science activities. This paper provides first an overview of the TanDEM-X acquisition plan for difficult terrain and Antarctica, and second an outline of the new SAR techniques and applications related to the science activities explained afterwards.