TerraSAR-X, a German Radar Satellite

TerraSAR-X is a high-resolution, next generation X-Band radar satellite which will be launched in 2005. The mission goal is the provision of remote sensing data and products for scientific applications as well as the commercial exploitation within a public private partnership between DLR and Astrium/Infoterra. An operational acquisition of multiple polarimetric data will be carried out in Stripmap, ScanSAR and Sliding Spotlight mode. In the following a brief description of the TerraSAR-X space- and ground segment will be presented