X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (X-SAR) and its Shuttle-Borne Application for Experiments

The German Aerospace Research Establishment (DFVLR) and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche/Piano Spaziale Nazionale (CNR/PSN) are responsible for the design of X-SAR. This instrument is presently in the development phase in the German and Italian space industries. It will fly on the Shuttle in 2 missions in 1991/92 together with the L-band and C-band SAR of NASA/JPL. These SRL (Shuttle Radar Lab) missions will use orbits with an inclination angle of 57° and an altitude of approximately 225 km. The orbits are expected to drift on a day to day basis in such a way that chosen test sites can be imaged within one week under various off-nadir angles (15° to 60°). This paper contains - a description of the SRL-sensors with emphasis on X-SAR, - the planned processing facilities, - the planned calibration scheme and related problems, and most important - the scientific application for experiments in various disciplines.