TerraSAR-X: predicted performance

The TerraSAR-X is a satellite of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) which is planned to be launched in 2005. The partner firm Astrium is responsible for the space segment of the project while DLR takes over the ground segment and the processing. The Microwaves and Radar Institute of the DLR centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, will be in charge of system engineering and calibration. In particular, an important part of this activity is the performance control, which includes performance modeling, prediction and the conversion from customer or scientific product requirements into space segment commands. This paper provides an overview on these aspects and presents the first results of the performance predictions, carried out at DLR and at Astrium. Image simulations based on X-band data from the airborne E-SAR sensor of DLR give a first impression on the expected TerraSAR-X product quality and, more in general, on the potential of this new sensor in remote sensing applications