Sensor · Spaceborne

PALSAR-2

Compiled from public sources on 2026-05-25. Not independently verified by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

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Active phased-array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar, sole imaging payload of the ALOS-2 satellite. Operated by JAXA, built by Mitsubishi Electric. Operates at L-band (centre frequency 1257.5 MHz, wavelength about 23.84 cm), enabling deep canopy penetration for tropical forest disturbance detection. Six resolution modes (Spotlight, Stripmap Ultrafine/High-Sensitive/Fine, ScanSAR Normal/Wide). Backbone of the JJ-FAST tropical deforestation alert system and JAXA's Annual Forest/Non-Forest Mosaic.

Sensor

PALSAR-2 is the active phased-array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging payload on ALOS-2, operated by JAXA.^[1]^[2] The instrument operates around 1257.5 MHz with selectable bandwidths, a 9.9 m antenna length, side-looking geometry, and single, dual, and full polarisation modes across HH, VV, HV, and VH combinations.^[2] PALSAR-2 acquisition modes include Spotlight, Stripmap Ultrafine, Stripmap High-Sensitive, Stripmap Fine, ScanSAR Normal, and ScanSAR Wide, with mode-dependent resolution and swath values.^[1]^[2] NASA Open Data distributes ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Level 1 ScanSAR products for downstream analysis workflows.^[3]

Methodology	Evidence	Mission	Citation
SAR backscatter change detection	Demonstrated	ALOS-2	^[1]
InSAR surface deformation	Demonstrated	ALOS-2	^[1]
Polarimetric SAR decomposition	Demonstrated	ALOS-2	^[1]

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

ALOS-2 ——— this payload

this ——— ALOS-2 (Operational) flies on

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition
SAR backscatter imagingvia ALOS-2
ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 is an L-band synthetic-aperture radar imaging payload; this edge covers SAR amplitude/backscatter imaging in L-band.

Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to

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

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

Ocean currents SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)marginal

Sources

[1]PALSAR-2 instrument overview, JAXA EORCagency doc2026-05-25
[2]ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 sensor specifications, JAXA EORCagency doc2026-05-25
[3]ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Level 1 ScanSAR Product, NASA Open Dataagency doc2026-05-25

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/palsar-2 Markdown twin → Field definitions →