External calibration of the CRS-1 satellite

CRS-1 is a SAR satellite in L-Band comprising a phased array antenna. In a cooperation by the Beijing Remote Sensing Institute (BRSI), China, and Radar Systemtechnik AG (RST) in Rorschacherberg, Switzerland, calibration of the CRS-1 active phased array antenna was studied. Both partners were working towards a high performance SAR image product made from the CRS-1 SAR raw data. The paper shows the complexity of calibration under the umbrella of a high performance active on-board array SAR antenna. The calibration uses a new development of an active radar target (ARC) that was specially developed for the purpose.