Sensor · Spaceborne

SAR-2000

Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-16. Not independently verified by Thales Alenia Space.

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Missions → COSMO-SkyMed (Operational)

X-band multi-mode SAR instrument flown on the first-generation COSMO-SkyMed satellites, supporting 1 to 100 m resolution by mode, 10 to 200 km swath, multi-polarisation modes and left/right pointing.

Sensor

SAR-2000 is the X-band synthetic aperture radar instrument used on the first-generation COSMO-SkyMed satellites, using active microwave imaging for multi-mode SAR collection.^[1]^[2] It operates at 9.60 GHz and supports HH, VV, HV, VH and paired HH/HV plus VV/VH polarisation configurations over a 20 to 50 degree incidence-angle range.^[2] Its mode set includes Spotlight, Stripmap HIMAGE, Stripmap PingPong, ScanSAR Wide Region and ScanSAR Huge Region.^[1] The instrument supports 1 m Spotlight over 10 km, 3 m Stripmap HIMAGE over 40 km, PingPong over 30 km, and ScanSAR operation up to 200 km with 30 to 100 m resolution.^[1]^[2] SAR backscatter and InSAR surface deformation are demonstrated through COSMO-SkyMed, while polarimetric SAR decomposition is recorded as capable rather than demonstrated.^[1]^[2] Utilization is recorded from 2007 to 2026 on the four first-generation COSMO-SkyMed satellites.^[2]

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

COSMO-SkyMed ——— this payload

this ——— COSMO-SkyMed (Operational) flies on

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

SAR backscatter imagingvia COSMO-SkyMed
COSMO-SkyMed SAR-2000 is an operational X-band SAR imager.
InSAR - surface deformationvia COSMO-SkyMed
COSMO-SkyMed SAR-2000 supports interferometry-oriented X-band SAR acquisition and WMO records glacier/topography variables.

Capable, undemonstrated

Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition
SAR-2000 supports multi-polarisation and ping-pong acquisition; kept as capable for target decomposition pending method-specific validation.

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

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(capable)well suited

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

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

Sea ice Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(capable)adequate

Soil moisture Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(capable)adequate

Urban change Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(capable)adequate

Vessel tracking Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(capable)adequate

Crop-type mapping Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(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

Ocean currents SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)marginal

Sources

[1]COSMO-SkyMed Mission and Products Description, ASIagency doc2026-06-16
[2]SAR-2000 instrument record, WMO OSCARthird party2026-06-16

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/sar-2000 Markdown twin → Field definitions → Suggest a correction →