TerraSAR-X with Experimental Wide Stripmap Mode

Abstract:
TerraSAR-X is a German synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite mission which is realized by the two satellites TerraSAR- X (TSX-1), launched in 2007 and its companion TanDEM-X (TDX-1), launched in 2010. Although the mission has been operational for 16 years, the flexible commanding capability of the SAR instruments offers the possibility to demonstrate new acquisition techniques interspersed in the nominal timeline. The development and tests with the experimental Wide Stripmap mode are presented here. The mode, with its coverage and resolution, sits between the nominal Stripmap and ScanSAR and can serve applications such as ship detection and land subsidence monitoring.