1 TERRASAR-X: A PRE-LAUNCH STATUS REPORT

TerraSAR-X is a new German radar satellite that shall be launched end of June 2006 with a lifetime of 5 years. 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. Imaging will be possible in single, dual and quad-polarization. TerraSAR-X will be an operational SAR-system for scientific and commercial applications. Innovative and unique features with respect to spaceborne systems are the high geometric (1m-25m) and radiometric resolution together with the single, dual and quad-polarization capability. Additionally several incidence angle combinations will be possible and double side access can be realized by satellite roll maneuvers. The satellite will be positioned in an 11 days repeat orbit. 95 % of the Earth’s surface can be seen within 2.5 days after commanding, also in the very high resolution Spotlight mode. In principle all modes of TerraSAR-X are of interest for the observation of urban areas. In particular the high geometric resolution o