Overview Of The Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-C)

Abstract

The Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) Experiment is the next evolutionary step in the Spaceborne Imaging Radar Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). SIR-C is currently scheduled to fly in August, 1991 and again in December, 1992. SIR-C will provide increased capability over Seasat and the two previous Shuttle Imaging Radars by acquiring digital images simultaneously at two microwave frequencies (L- and C-band) with multiple signal polarizations (HH, VV, HV, VH). SIR-C will be a dual bandwidth system so that investigators can choose a high or low resolution mode (20 and 10 MHz, respectively). In addition, a German/Italian X-band SAR with VV polarization will be flown with SIR-C, resulting in a three-frequency capability. SIR-C prototype data will be acquired using an Airborne Imaging Radar (AIR) to test several new designs that will be implemented on SIR-C, to develop the overall calibration strategy for SIR-C, and to develop data analysis tools for SIR-C data.

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