Use of RADARSAT ScanSAR products for regional mapping in Southeast Asia

The RADARSAT SAR system has the unique ability to shape and steer the radar beam to permit imaging in numerous modes with varying image characteristics. Among these imaging modes, RADARSAT provides the first operational ScanSAR mode available on a satellite platform. Depending on the configuration, ScanSAR data can be acquired in nominal 300 or 500 kilometre swaths with 25 and 50 metre pixel spacing respectively. The ScanSAR mode has proven to be an excellent tool for acquiring regional information, providing a means of rapidly and cost effectively mapping large areas while still retaining a high level of detail in the image product. In Southeast Asia the utility of this product has been translated into numerous regional mosaics which are being utilized in various resource development projects through the area. This paper discusses ScanSAR image quality issues related to the production of regional scale mosaics, reviews the mosaicing process and finally addresses the application of these unique products. Examples of geocoded and ortho-rectified image mosaics are illustrated