Sensor · Spaceborne

CSG-SAR

Missions → COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (Operational)

X-band synthetic aperture radar payload flown on COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation spacecraft.

Sensor

CSG-SAR is the multi-polarisation X-band synthetic-aperture radar payload for COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation spacecraft, manufactured and provided by Thales Alenia Space.^[1]^[2] It operates at 9.60 GHz in X-band and is recorded with 20-50 degree off-nadir access, up to a 600 km field of regard, and mode-dependent resolution from 0.35 m to 40 m.^[1]

The sensor supports single, dual and quad-polarisation acquisitions, including HH, VV, HV and VH combinations depending on collection mode.^[1] Its public mode envelope spans Spotlight, Stripmap and ScanSAR acquisitions: the structured examples include Spotlight at sub-metre resolution over a 7.3 km swath, Stripmap at 3 m resolution over 40 km, and ScanSAR coverage up to 200 km.^[1]

For applications, CSG-SAR has demonstrated SAR backscatter, interferometric surface-deformation and polarimetric SAR use through the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission context, and it is capable of SAR backscatter change detection where repeat imaging geometry and archive depth are suitable.^[1] The payload is an evolution of the first-generation COSMO-SkyMed SAR-2000 heritage, so buyers comparing CSG with earlier COSMO-SkyMed data should treat the second-generation sensor as a related but upgraded X-band SAR implementation rather than a direct sensor duplicate.^[1]^[3]

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Supply chain position

carried by COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

SAR backscatter imagingvia COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation
CSG-SAR is an X-band SAR with variable swath and resolution imaging modes.
InSAR - surface deformationvia COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation
CEOS states CSG preserves precision required for interferometric activities.
Polarimetric SAR - target decompositionvia COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation
CSG-SAR supports single, dual and quadruple polarisation modes.

Capable, undemonstrated

SAR backscatter - change detection
X-band SAR backscatter imagery supports repeat-pass change workflows where acquisitions are available.

Topics this relates to

Geology and geohazards InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Permafrost and ground ice InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Pipeline integrity InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Subsidence InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Terrain elevation InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Transport infrastructure monitoring InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Coastal erosion InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Groundwater and terrestrial water storage InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Snow water equivalent InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Flooding InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)marginal

Glacier and ice-sheet mass InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)marginal

Forest structure and biomass Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)well suited

Biodiversity and habitat Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Illegal and unregulated fishing Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Sea ice Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Soil moisture Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Urban change Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Vessel tracking Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Crop-type mapping Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)marginal

Deforestation SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)well suited

Disaster damage assessment SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)well suited

Land cover change SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)well suited

Oil spills SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)well suited

Illegal construction SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)adequate

Inland water SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)adequate

Wildfire SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)adequate

Coastal water quality SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)marginal

Mineral exploration SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)marginal

Power grid and vegetation encroachment SAR backscatter - change detection(capable)marginal

Ocean surface winds SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Sea state SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Wind energy siting SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Economic activity intelligence SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)adequate

Snow cover SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)adequate

Ocean currents SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)marginal

Sources

[1]CSG-SAR instrument record, WMO OSCARagency doc2021-06-152026-06-16
[2]COSMO-SkyMed, Italian Space Agencyagency doc-2026-06-16
[3]COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation Mission and Products Descriptionagency doc-2026-06-16

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How to cite this page

Plain text

CSG-SAR. EO-Atlas, SpectraWorks B.V. https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/csg-sar (CC BY 4.0)

BibTeX

@misc{eoatlas:products:sensor:csg-sar,
  title = {CSG-SAR},
  author = {{EO-Atlas}},
  publisher = {SpectraWorks B.V.},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
  url = {https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/csg-sar}
}