Versatile SAR for the first polar platform
Abstract
This paper describes the design of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) which has resulted from work at Marconi Space Systems Ltd. (MSS) and the GEC-Marconi Research Centre (MRC). The SAR instrument is intended to fly on the first European Polar Platform. It offers the user greater operational flexibility than other designs, particularly by the use of an active-array antenna. The performance of the instrument is significantly better than that offered by alternative designs, taking into account the constraints of the platform. This paper outlines the background to the study, identifies the requirements for the instrument, and describes the design concept with a discussion on some of the technical issues involved.
- Publication:
-
GEC Journal Research
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991GECJR...9...13S
- Keywords:
-
- Onboard Data Processing;
- Radar Antennas;
- Radar Imagery;
- Space Station Polar Platforms;
- Spacecraft Antennas;
- Synthetic Aperture Radar;
- Antenna Arrays;
- Earth Observations (From Space);
- Performance Prediction;
- Phased Arrays;
- Satellite Instruments;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation