RADARSAT-2 System and Mode Description
Abstract
The Canadian RADARSAT-2 satellite, due for launch in Fall 2006 carries a commercial synthetic aperture radar system that extends the capabilities of RADARSAT-1 in several ways. All RADARSAT-1 modes have been retained, a fully polarimetric SAR mode has been added, a single polarization 3 m (ground range) mode has been added, for two channel operation either H or V transmit polarization can be selected, an experimental Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) mode has been added, and the radar can look either side of the satellite track. The imaging modes of RADARSAT-2, like those of RADARSAT-1 promise to have significant military utility for situational awareness and change detection applications. For RADARSAT-2 the ability to detect and monitor features of interest will be enhanced by polarization diversity, polarimetric imaging capability, the high-resolution mode and the ability to look to either side of the satellite track. The experimental GMTI mode has been implemented through collaboration between the Department of National Defence (DND), the Canadian Space Agency, and the satellite builder, Macdonald Dettwiler and Associates. Because of the orbit and resulting revisit rate, this mode is not expected to provide a significant operational capability for military use in its current implementation on RADARSAT-2. It is expected to provide information on the performance of future space-based GMTI sensors for operational military use and is expected to be an important tool for the development of concepts of operation for space-based GMTI measurements. This paper outlines the technical properties of RADARSAT-2 and its operating modes. The experimental GMTI mode and associated data processing is briefly discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA469927
Entities
People
- C. E. Livingstone
- C. Gierull
- I. Sikaneta
- P. Beaulne
- S. Chiu
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada