Ka-band SAR interferometer

In the frame of the “Study into Ka-band SAR”, a project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), the authors investigated new instrument concepts to implement a spaceborne high resolution interferometric SAR operating at Ka-band. In particular, thanks to the antenna separation which is required at these frequencies to achieve accurate height measurements, the analysis was focused on concepts related to single pass interferometry from a single platform. This paper illustrates the definition of the instrument concepts elaborated during the Study, gives an insight of the performance that they are capable to achieve and lays the foundations for the preparation of the roadmap that will conclude the Study paving the way for possible future developments.