Earth resources observation with the Shuttle imaging radar

Abstract

In order to fully understand the radar signature of different surface features and covers, observations must be acquired with a variety of sensor parameters (i.e., frequency, polarization, and incidence angle). This allows the selection of an appropriate set of sensors parameters which will provide the most information about the surface. The Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR), which is planned by NASA for a series of flights in the 1984-86 time frame, will have the capability to obtain surface images at two frequencies (L-band and C-band), at multiple polarizations, and all incidence angles from near vertical to near grazing. The SIR will operate in the synthetic aperture imaging mode and provide digital images of the surfaces with a resolution of about 20 meters. As part of the SIR flights, a number of planned large-scale experiments will be conducted in the fields of geologic mapping, vegetation classification, land cover mapping, surface moisture measurements, and ocean surface observation.

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