TerraSAR-X SAR Data Processing: Results from Commissioning and Early Operational Phase

Abstract submitted to "EARSeL Joint Workshop: Remote Sensing - New Challenges of High Resolution"

Birgit Schättler

Birgit dot Schaettler at dlr dot de

{German Aerospace Center (DLR)} {}

Thomas Fritz

Thomas dot Fritz at dlr dot de

{German Aerospace Center (DLR)} {}

Helko Breit

Helko dot Breit at dlr dot de

{German Aerospace Center (DLR)} {}

Ulrich Balss

Ulrich dot Balss at dlr dot de

{Technical University Munich} {}

Nico Adam

Nico dot Adam at dlr dot de

{German Aerospace Center (DLR)} {}

Michael Eineder

Michael dot Eineder at dlr dot de

{German Aerospace Center (DLR)} {}

Marie Lachaise

Marie dot Lachaise at dlr dot de

{German Aerospace Center (DLR)} {}

Dana Floricioiu

Dana dot Floricioiu at dlr dot de

{German Aerospace Center} {}

Keywords: TerraSAR-X, SAR data processing, InSAR data processing

Presentation preference: oral

TerraSAR-X, the first national German radar satellite, was launched in June 2007. It carries an X-band high-resolution synthetic aperture radar instrument featuring imaging modes like StripMap, ScanSAR and, particularly, SpotLight in a variety of different polarization modes. The TerraSAR-X mission will complete its commissioning phase in December 2007 and thus start the provision of high-resolution products from advanced SAR modes for both the scientific and commercial user community from January 2008 on. These level 1b products are generated with the TerraSAR Multi-Mode SAR processor TMSP developed by the Remote Sensing Technology Institute of DLR and operated at the ground segment by DLR and at various commercial Direct Access Stations by Infoterra GmbH.

This paper provides the commissioning and early operational phase results both in terms of processing challenges due to the high-resolution TerraSAR-X character and in terms of the variety of operationally generated SAR user products. Important product characteristics are recalled. Specific emphasis is paid on the geometric and phase preserving characteristics of the products. Samples from all imaging and polarization modes are shown.

The suitability of high-resolution TerraSAR-X data for interferometric processing is shown, interferometric processing challenges are discussed. Results obtained using the GENESIS interferometry system developed by and operated at the Remote Sensing Technology Institute are presented.

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