TanDEM-X: Key Features and Mission Status

Abstract:
TanDEM-X, a single-pass SAR interferometer with adjustable baselines in across- and in along-track directions was formed by adding a second (TDX), almost identical spacecraft to TerraSAR-X (TSX) and flying the two satellites in a closely controlled formation. With typical across-track baselines of 150 to 500 m a global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with 2 m relative height accuracy at a 12-m posting is being generated. Beyond this primary mission objective TanDEM-X is also an important pre-cursor for future SAR satellite formations allowing demonstrating novel SAR techniques, with focus on multistatic SAR, polarimetric SAR interferometry, digital beam forming and super resolution. In this paper the status of the global DEM generation and key features of the TanDEM-X mission will be presented in view of their importance for future missions.