TerraSAR-X: a new perspective for scientific use of high resolution spaceborne SAR data

TerraSAR-X is a new German radar satellite that shall be launched in mid 2005 with a lifetime of 5 years. It carries a high frequency X-band SAR sensor that can be launched in three different modes and polarizations. The spotlight-, stripmap- and scanSAR-modes provide high resolution images for detailed analysis as well as wide swath data whenever a larger coverage is required. Imaging will be possible in single, dual and quad-polarization. TerraSAR-X will be an operational SAR system for scientific and commercial applications. The various capabilities of the SAR system are presented as well as the corresponding product types. Based on these characteristics the scientific potential of TerraSAR-X with respect to urban areas is highlighted. Finally, the TerraSAR system is described consisting of the space, the ground segment and the user infrastructure. DLR is responsible for the scientific users while the commercial sector will be handled by the Infoterra GmbH.