The DLR High Altitude Platform Synthetic Aperture Radar Instrument HAPSAR

Abstract:
Amidst ever-evolving challenges and simultaneously emerging technological opportunities, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is actively engaged in the development of a stratospheric aircraft named High-Altitude Platform α (HAP-α). Such a HAP provides the capability to remain stationed at altitudes ranging from 15 km to 25 km for months on end. This facilitates continuous monitoring of a specific region of interest for a multitude of applications, particularly in the realms of climate research and security. To achieve this goal, various remote sensing sensors tailored to the environmental and operational conditions of a HAP need to be developed. In its foundational configuration, these encompass a high-resolution optical camera (MACS) and the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system known as HAPSAR. In this article, we provide a more detailed description of the HAPSAR instrument, currently under construction. We delve into the fundamental concept, structural design, and individual components of this system.