ENVISAT ASAR - Design & Performance with a View to the Future

Abstract

The Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) is a C' band dual linear polarized multi-mode terrain monitoring radar forming part of the environmental satellite (ENVISAT) mission. It is to be launched on Ariane 5 in 2001. With heritage from the highly successful ERS-1 & ERS-2 SAR instruments Astrium Ltd. have developed the system design of ASAR in order to provide polarization diversity, flexible swath selection, and wide swath techniques providing a range of operating modes with data products to suit various needs. This paper describes the overall instrument architecture summarizing the key technology areas and the characteristics of each operating mode. It also reviews the major technical challenges that were faced and how they were resolved.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADP010832

Entities

People

  • Michael D. Gibbons
  • Michael Hutchinson

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Antenna Feeds
  • Antennas
  • Arrays
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Beam Steering
  • Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
  • Control Systems
  • Data Rate
  • Frequency
  • Lessons Learned
  • Measurement
  • Polarization
  • Radio Frequency Devices
  • Space Based
  • Spacecraft
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects