TERRASAR NEXT GENERATION - MISSION CAPABILITIES

The TerraSAR-X Next Generation (TerraSAR-X NG) mission is intended to take the TerraSAR-X data and service continuity well beyond 2025 taking benefit of a 9.5 years satellite lifetime [1]. The Space Segment, initially a single spacecraft, will be launched into the TerraSAR-X reference orbit while first generation TerraSAR-X systems will still be operational. The TerraSAR-X NG Mission will benefit from an advanced SAR sensor technology allowing a spatial resolution down to 0.25 meter depending on allowable chirp bandwidth in the future. Besides advanced Very High Resolution Modes TerraSAR-X NG will provide heritage modes enabling TerraSAR-X data continuity and improved wide swath modes to support large area applications. In addition the TerraSAR-X NG Mission will feature full polarimetry and improved near real time capabilities. The TerraSAR-X NG Mission and potential extensions will be subject to a partnership model, "WorldSAR", in which partners can participate through co-investment, subscription, and ownership of additional satellites operated in constellation.