TerraSAR-X: A New Perspective for Applications Requiring High Resolution Spaceborne SAR Data

TerraSAR-X is a new German radar satellite that shall be launched in mid 2005. It's planned lifetime is 5 years. It carries a high frequency X-band SAR sensor that can be operated in three different modes and polarisation. 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, on an experimental basis even quad- polarisation. The TerraSAR system consists of the Space and the Ground Segments and the User Infrastructure. DLR is responsible for the scientific use while the commercial sector will be handled by the Infoterra GmbH. TerraSAR-X will be an operational SAR-system for scientific and commercial applications