RADARSAT SAR performance assessment and prediction

The full process of performance assessment on the RADARSAT mission extended more than a decade, from pure analysis in the conceptual design stage, through analytical combination of data in the hardware development and integration stages, to the final in-flight performance measurement. This paper reviews the aims and achievements of this program of performance assessment and prediction, the methods used and the results obtained. An important distinction is drawn between the assessment of worst case performance, as required to ensure compliance with a contractual specification, and the prediction of expected performance. Valuable experience has been gained through this process, which can be applied in the development of future SAR missions, and some key points are discussed