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TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement)

Contact Details

German Aerospace Center (DLR)
DLR
Headquarters
Corporate Communications Office
Linder Hoehe
D-51147 Koeln
Germany
Tel. +49 2203 601-2116
Fax +49 2203 601-3249
AbstractTanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) has the goal of generating a global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with an unprecedented accuracy corresponding to the DTED-3 specifications. This goal will be achieved by means of a second SAR satellite (TanDEM-X) flying in a tandem orbit configuration with TerraSAR-X (TSX-1).

TanDEM-X has SAR system parameters which are fully compatible with TSX-1, allowing not only independent operation from TSX-1 in a mono-static mode, but also synchronized operation (e.g. in a bi-static mode). The TanDEM mission is designed for five years nominal operation.

The scientific use of the data can be divided into 3 areas: new quality Digital Elevation Models (e.g. for hydrology), along-track interferometry (e.g. measurement of ocean currents) and new bi-static applications (e.g. polarimetric SAR interferometry). Both high precision orbit determination and interferometric baseline vector knowledge of the tandem configuration will be accomplished by means of the GPS based TOR instrument, which is already an integral part of the TSX-1 payload and which will be an in-kind provision by GFZ for the TanDEM-X mission. The potential for commercial applications arises from the increase in the efficiency of the TSX-1 data production chain, high quality and efficient cartographic capability, as well as implementation of experimental modes and services.

TanDEM-X represents the first step for a constellation of radar satellites and will ensure the German leading position for X-Band SAR technology. The user community will have access to a broad spectrum of scientific, commercial and security applications.

The phase A of TanDEM-X has started in September 2004 and lasted until June 2005. As of fall 2006, the TanDEM-X program is in Phase B.
The mission proposal is lead by DLR (Principal Investigator) together with the partners EADS Astrium GmbH and InfoTerra GmbH. Four Institutes at DLR are contributing to the project: Microwaves and Radar Institute - HR (Lead), German Remote Sensing Data Center - DFD, Remote Sensing technology Institute - IMF and Geman Space Operation Center - GSOC.
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