Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for Earth Observation

Abstract

SAR has become a mature technology to monitor the Earth dynamics. Due to its weather/day-time independency, SAR has been one of the most used sensors in applications of oceanography, erosion, ground subsidence, landslides, volcano monitoring, fire in forests, 3-D mapping, tomography of forests, among others. This work gives an overview on the different phases of a SAR space mission, i.e., from the mission concept analysis, experimental realizations with airborne platforms, validation modes, impact of the used frequency for a given application, data processing, to the satellite acquisition and operation. Emphasis is given on the description of examples of SAR uses in Mexico for disaster management, and how this can be used on the triple helix (government-academy-industry) for technology, economy and education development, and training of human resources. In addition, the current status of the Mexican SAR space mission, the TOPMEX-9, will be given.