The TanDEM-X Satellite
Conference: EUSAR 2008 - 7th European Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar
06/02/2008 - 06/05/2008 at Friedrichshafen, Germany
Proceedings: EUSAR 2008
Pages: 4Language: englishTyp: PDF
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Authors:
Miller, David (EADS Astrium GmbH, 88039 Friedrichshafen, Germany)
Abstract:
The TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X Add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) satellite is heavily based on the TerraSAR- X satellite which was successfully launched in mid-2007. TanDEM-X will have an additional Cold Gas Propulsion System and an Inter-Satellite Link Receiver and is planned for launch in late 2009. The CGS will allow fine adjustments of the TanDEM-X orbit in very close proximity to TerraSAR-X to give a variable interferometric baseline for syncronised bistatic SAR measurements for the determination of a Digital Elevation Model of the Earth’s land surface. SAR phase syncronisation is achieved using 2-way transfer of USO-based X-band pulses. The TanDEM-X ISL-R will allow reception of S-band telemetry data from TerraSAR- X to support collision avoidance and TanDEM-X Autonomous Formation Flying. This paper describes the development approach and design/performance aspects for bistatic operation.