Advances In Spaceborne Active Microwave Sensing

During the 90's, a number of new capabilities and techniques will be used to observe planetary (including earth) surfaces and atmospheres with active or microwave sensors. In 1992, SIR-C will provide the capability of full imaging radar polarimetry at two frequencies L and C-band. In combination with X-SAR, simultaneous imaging at three frequencies will be possible for the first time from space. The SIR-C-XSAR is the predecessor of the EOS SAR, which in addition to the multi-frequency and multi-polarization capability, will be able to provide very wide swath (500 to 600 km) imaging at moderate resolution of few hundred meters. The EOS SAR will also be capable of radar interferometric mapping of the surface topography by using data from repeat orbits.