TerraSAR-X/PAZ constellation: CONOPS, highlights and access solution

TerraSAR-X radar technology is credited to be the most accurate radar sensor being utilized for innovative applications [1][2]. Extending this success, this paper presents a soon to be launched constellation of TerraSAR-X like X band SAR sensors. The injection of the PAZ satellite (owned and operated by Hisdesat S.A. of Spain) in Q4 2015 into the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X orbit will bring a unique radar constellation to the market. The benefits of this planned constellation mission shall be enormous leading to as short as possible revisit times with a promise of excellent quality and reliability. The constellation shall offer products ranging from very high resolution data for IMINT community to large wide swath scans for maritime services industry. On-top of the traditional constellation benefits, this program also demonstrates a novel approach to coordinate international space missions for all stakeholder benefits. In this paper we intend to present the following aspects of the constellation: Constellation Concept of Operations (CONOPS); Capability of the 25cm Staring SpotLight Mode in Comparison to traditional 1m radar imagery; The Unique Airbus DS access solution to access the constellation.