Title :
Overview of results of Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C, X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR)
Author :
Stofan, Ellen R. ; Evans, Diane L. ; Schmullius, Christianna ; Holt, Benjamin ; Plaut, Jeffrey J. ; Van Zyl, Jakob ; Wall, STEPHEN D. ; Way, JoBea
Author_Institution :
Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA
fDate :
7/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C, X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) was launched on the Space Shuttle Endeavour for two ten day missions in the spring and fall of 1994. Radar data from these missions are being used to better understand the dynamic global environment. During each mission, radar images of over 300 sites around the Earth were obtained, returning over a terabit of data. SIR-C/X-SAR science investigations were focused on quantifying radar´s ability to estimate surface properties of importance to understanding global change; and focused studies in geology, ecology, hydrology and oceanography, as well as radar calibration and electromagnetic theory studies. In addition, the second flight featured an interferometry experiment, where digital elevation maps were obtained by interfering data from the first and second shuttle flight, and from successive days on the second flight. SIR-C/X-SAR data have been used to validate algorithms which produce maps of vegetation type and biomass; snow, soil and vegetation moisture; and the distribution of wetlands, developed with earlier aircraft data
Keywords :
atmospheric techniques; geophysical techniques; hydrological techniques; meteorological radar; radar applications; remote sensing; remote sensing by radar; spaceborne radar; synthetic aperture radar; SAR imaging; SHF microwave; SIR-C; Space Shuttle; Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C; X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar; X-SAR; algorithm; ecology; geology; geophysical measurement technique; global change; hydrology; image; interferometry experiment; land surface; ocean; satellite remote sensing; snow; synthetic aperture radar; terrain mapping; vegetation atmosphere meteorology; Earth; Focusing; Radar imaging; Radar theory; Sea surface; Space shuttles; Spaceborne radar; Springs; Synthetic aperture radar; Vegetation mapping;
Journal_Title :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on