A conceptual radar system to perform reflectivity and topographic maps of the Martian surface

Among the scientific objectives defined in the frame of the INTERMARSNET International Mission is included the measurement of the surface dielectric constant on the whole Martian surface. For this purpose a radar/scatterometer system has been studied which is in principle able to provide information concerning backscattering coefficient averaged over the radar spatial resolution cell. As a secondary science objective the same instrument is also able to provide 3D mapping of the Martian surface with a coarse horizontal (or spatial) resolution and an accurate measure of the mean surface height and roughness (altimeter mode). Furthermore the use of a spinned satellite without an antenna stabilization in the mission results in a proper system design for the radar sensor