TanDEM-X acquisition and quality overview with two global coverages

TanDEM-X is a spaceborne SAR mission with the goal to derive a global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of high resolution and unprecedented level of accuracy. This paper gives an overview on the acquisition planning and data analysis after completion of two global coverages. The first part summarizes the DEM acquisition strategy including the satellite formation evolution, coverage status, and the planning concept for further interferometric measurements over difficult terrain. In the second part of the paper, the single acquisitions are analyzed for their interferometric quality, such as coherence and relative height errors. After calibration of systematic baseline offsets and instrument internal effects, the monitoring status of absolute DEM height errors is presented, as well.