# TanDEM-X SAR
*sensor . products*

X-band synthetic aperture radar imager flown on TanDEM-X, paired with TerraSAR-X for interferometry and distributed commercially through Airbus's Radar Constellation services.

## Specifications
- **product status**: operational
- **manufacturer**: airbus-ds
- **sensor**: {"instrument_family":"sar","measurement_principle":"active","frequency_band":"X","centre_frequency_mhz":9650,"chirp_bandwidth_mhz":300,"polarisation_modes":["HH","VV","HV","VH"],"antenna_length_m":5,"modes":[{"name":"Staring Spotlight","swath_km":10,"polarisation":"single/dual/quad via Dual-Receive Antenna mode"},{"name":"Sliding Spotlight","swath_km":10,"polarisation":"single/dual"},{"name":"StripMap","swath_km":30,"polarisation":"single/dual/bistatic DEM"},{"name":"ScanSAR","swath_km":100,"polarisation":"single/dual"}],"swath_km":100,"notes":"TanDEM-X is described by DLR as a mostly rebuilt, almost identical TerraSAR-X-like satellite with X-band SAR centre frequency 9.65 GHz and chirp bandwidth up to 300 MHz."}
- **deployment context**: orbital
- **entity type**: sensor
- **last verified date**: 2026-05-28
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: unclaimed
- **provider**: airbus-ds
- **attributes**: {"kind":"sensor","product_status":"operational","manufacturer":"airbus-ds","description":"X-band synthetic aperture radar imager flown on TanDEM-X, paired with TerraSAR-X for interferometry and distributed commercially through Airbus's Radar Constellation services.","sensor":"{\"instrument_family\":\"sar\",\"measurement_principle\":\"active\",\"frequency_band\":\"X\",\"centre_frequency_mhz\":9650,\"chirp_bandwidth_mhz\":300,\"polarisation_modes\":[\"HH\",\"VV\",\"HV\",\"VH\"],\"antenna_length_m\":5,\"modes\":[{\"name\":\"Staring Spotlight\",\"swath_km\":10,\"polarisation\":\"single/dual/quad via Dual-Receive Antenna mode\"},{\"name\":\"Sliding Spotlight\",\"swath_km\":10,\"polarisation\":\"single/dual\"},{\"name\":\"StripMap\",\"swath_km\":30,\"polarisation\":\"single/dual/bistatic DEM\"},{\"name\":\"ScanSAR\",\"swath_km\":100,\"polarisation\":\"single/dual\"}],\"swath_km\":100,\"notes\":\"TanDEM-X is described by DLR as a mostly rebuilt, almost identical TerraSAR-X-like satellite with X-band SAR centre frequency 9.65 GHz and chirp bandwidth up to 300 MHz.\"}","bus":null,"ground_segment":null,"launcher":null,"analysis_service":null,"deployment_context":"orbital"}
- **technology**: radar

## Editorial
TanDEM-X SAR is an X-band synthetic aperture radar imager carried on the TanDEM-X satellite, developed by DLR and built by Airbus Defence and Space. TanDEM-X was designed to fly in close formation with TerraSAR-X to enable bistatic interferometry, most notably the generation of the WorldDEM global digital elevation model. Airbus commercialises TanDEM-X imagery in constellation with TerraSAR-X under its Radar Constellation services.[^dlr-tandem-x-brochure][^dlr-terrasar-x]

The instrument operates at 9.65 GHz with chirp bandwidth up to 300 MHz and a 5 m antenna. Full polarimetric combinations are available: HH, VV, HV, and VH. The satellite orbits at approximately 514 km altitude with an 11-day repeat cycle.[^dlr-tandem-x-brochure]

TanDEM-X SAR supports five imaging modes:[^dlr-tandem-x-brochure]

| Mode | Swath width | Polarisation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Staring Spotlight | 10 km | single or dual; Dual-Receive Antenna mode available |
| Sliding Spotlight | 10 km | single or dual |
| StripMap | 30 km | single, dual, or bistatic DEM |
| ScanSAR | 100 km | single or dual |
| Bistatic StripMap (DEM) | 30 km | formation flight with TerraSAR-X |

Demonstrated applications include InSAR surface deformation monitoring and SAR backscatter change detection. The polarimetric capability supports polarimetric SAR decomposition workflows.[^dlr-tandem-x-brochure]

## Sources
- [dlr-tandem-x-brochure] | TanDEM-X: The Earth in Three Dimensions, DLR brochure 2023 | https://www.dlr.de/en/hr/media/publications/other-publications/brochures/tandem-x-broschuere/@@download/file | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-05-28
- [dlr-terrasar-x] | TerraSAR-X mission overview including TanDEM-X relationship, DLR | https://www.dlr.de/en/research-and-transfer/projects-and-missions/terrasar-x | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-05-28

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Source: https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/tandem-x-sar
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)