Exploring the potential of Sentinel-1 constellation in tandem and bi-static configurations

Abstract:
The Sentinel-1 constellation, currently operational with the twin satellites S-1A and S-1B, offers medium resolution SAR images with six-days repeat pass. The interferometric applications benefit of the low-repeat pass and the user community is continuously growing. In the paper, we propose to exploit the planned recurrent satellite S-1C to make short repeat-pass (or tandem), increased resolution and bistatic experiments with S-1A (or S-1B). These configurations offer a large added value to the scientific community, while requesting minor impacts to the instrument operations. In the paper we evaluate the expected feasibility with respect to timing and TOPSAR scanning.