TanDEM-X performance: Impact on acquisition planning optimization

The primary goal of the TanDEM-X mission is the generation of a global high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) with single-pass SAR interferometry. In order to satisfy the mission requirements, ground areas will be mapped at least twice. For mountainous areas even more acquisitions are foreseen. The first global acquisition allows for the generation of an intermediate DEM. Moreover, it provides a global set of performance parameters, which are helpful for the optimization of the acquisition strategy for the second mapping. In this paper the interferometric performance status of the TanDEM-X mission is discussed, focusing on the relative height error. Some results of dedicated performance analysis are shown and the impact on the acquisition strategy and geometry for the second global coverage is derived.