Scientific use of TerraSAR-X

TerraSAR-X is a new German radar satellite that shall be launched in April 2006. The expected lifetime is 5 years. It carries a high frequency X-band SAR sensor that can be operated in different modes and polarization. The Spotlight-, Stripmap- and ScanSAR-modes provide high resolution SAR images for detailed analysis its well as wide swath data whenever a larger coverage is required. Imaging will be possible in single, dual and quad-polarization. TerraSAR-X will be an operational SAR-system for scientific and commercial applications that will equally share the satellite tasking time. DLR will be responsible for the scientific use while the Astrium GmbH has the exclusive commercial exploitation rights. The status "Scientific Use" needs to be gained via a selection process. An Announcement of Opportunity (AO) shall he released one year before the launch. TerraSAR-X data will be provided for the costs of fulfilling the user request.