The UAVSAR Instrument: Description and First Results

The UAVSAR instrument, employing an L-band actively electronically scanned antenna, had its genesis in the ESTO Instrument Incubator Program and, after 3 years of development, has begun collecting engineering and science data. System design was motivated by solid Earth applications where repeat pass radar interferometry can be used to measure subtle deformation of the surface. However, flexibility and extensibility to support other applications were also major design drivers. The radar is designed to be housed in an external unpressurized pod and has the potential to be readily ported to many platforms. Initial testing is being carried out with the NASA Gulfstream III aircraft, which has been modified to accommodate the radar pod and has been equipped with precision autopilot capability developed by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. With this, the aircraft can fly within a 10 m diameter tube on any specified trajectory necessary for repeat-pass radar interferometric applications. To maintain the required pointing for repeat-pass interferometric applications, we have employed an actively scanned antenna steered using INU measurement data. We will present a brief overview of the radar instrument and some of the first imagery obtained from the system.