Expected performance of the ENVISAT ASAR for near real-time maritime applications

ENVISAT is planned to be launched in 2000, and will carry the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) as one of its main instruments. The ASAR will provide a diversity of imaging geometry and polarisation that has not yet been available from space based platforms over extended periods of time. The alternating polarisation mode of ASAR in particular will offer an interesting new capability. We examine the predicted performance of the ENVISAT SAR in terms of geometry, coverage, spatial resolution and radiometric characteristics, to determine the applicability of the different beams and modes for monitoring the marine environment. We provide a first order recommendation for beams and modes for the applications of greatest interest from a Norwegian perspective