TerraSAR X satellite imagery

TerraSAR X engineered by DLR German Aerospace Centre and EADS Astrium mbH was launched on June 15, 2007 from Baikonur Cosmodrome and was placed into polar sun-synchronous orbit at the altitude of 514 km with 97.44° declination. TerraSAR X is fitted with the latest synthetic aperture radar which enables interferometric sensing with unprecedented spatial resolution up to 1 m. The radar makes the German satellite system TerraSAR-X the most up-to-date remote sensing instrument alongside with Italian COSMO-SkyMed. The radar makes surveying in X-band 3.1 cm wave length with modified radiation polarization - HH, VH, HV, VV, in 20 – 55° angular range. The satellite is operated by Infoterra GmbH, Germany. Active life - 5 years.

TerraSAR X satellite imagery applications

• Creation and refreshing of topographical maps and special plans up to 1:10 000 scale.
• DEM and DSM high resolution creation (up to 2-4 meters height accuracy)
• High-accuracy assessing of infrastructure networks (systems) (e.g. railway, pipelines and telecommunications).
• Estimating of seismic hazard, earthquake and volcanic explosion forecasting.
• All-weather survey of natural and anthropogenic catastrophes (floods and crashes).
• Coast land and vessel observation and control.
• Crop mapping, detection of the plantings condition, precision farming.
• Forest stands mapping, its grade estimation without using surface study, forest inventory and illegal logging gauge.
• Urban environment control.
• Implementation of defense and security facilities.