Sensor · Spaceborne

TerraSAR-X SAR

Compiled from public sources on 2026-05-28. Not independently verified by Airbus Defence and Space.

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High-frequency X-band synthetic aperture radar imager used by TerraSAR-X and distributed commercially through Airbus's Radar Constellation services.

Sensor

TerraSAR-X SAR is an X-band synthetic aperture radar imager carried on the TerraSAR-X satellite, operated under a public-private partnership between DLR and Airbus Defence and Space. DLR holds responsibility for the scientific mission and ground segment; Airbus handles commercial exploitation and distributes imagery through its Radar Constellation services, which also includes TanDEM-X and PAZ.^[1]^[2]

The instrument operates at 9.65 GHz with a nominal chirp bandwidth of 5-150 MHz and a documented maximum of 300 MHz. The antenna is 5 m in length and the instrument supports incidence angles between 20 and 60 degrees. Polarisation modes available are HH, VV, HV, and VH.^[1]

TerraSAR-X SAR supports three primary imaging modes:^[1]^[2]

Mode	Range resolution	Azimuth resolution	Swath width	Polarisation
SpotLight	1 m	1.5 m	10 km	single or dual
StripMap	3 m	3 m	30 km	single or dual
ScanSAR	16 m	16 m	100 km	single or dual

Demonstrated applications include InSAR surface deformation monitoring and SAR backscatter change detection. The instrument's polarimetric capability supports polarimetric SAR decomposition workflows.^[1]

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

TerraSAR-X ——— this payload

this ——— TerraSAR-X (Operational) flies on

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

SAR backscatter imagingvia TerraSAR-X
TerraSAR-X SAR provides X-band SAR backscatter imaging in SpotLight, StripMap, and ScanSAR modes.
InSAR - surface deformationvia TerraSAR-X
TerraSAR-X repeat-pass SAR imagery is used for interferometric surface-deformation workflows.
SAR backscatter - change detectionvia TerraSAR-X
TerraSAR-X repeat acquisitions support SAR backscatter change detection.

Capable, undemonstrated

Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition
TerraSAR-X supports polarimetric acquisition modes, enabling polarimetric SAR decomposition workflows.

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

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

Deforestation SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)well suited

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

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

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

Sea ice SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)well suited

Vessel tracking SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)well suited

Illegal construction SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)adequate

Inland water SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)adequate

Soil moisture SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)adequate

Urban change SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)adequate

Wildfire SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)adequate

Biodiversity and habitat SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)marginal

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

Illegal and unregulated fishing SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)marginal

Mineral exploration SAR backscatter - change detection(demonstrated)marginal

Power grid and vegetation encroachment SAR backscatter - change detection(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]TerraSAR-X mission overview and system parameters, DLRagency doc2026-05-28
[2]The German Satellite Mission TerraSAR-X, DLR RadarCon 2008agency doc2026-05-28

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/terrasar-x-sar Markdown twin → Field definitions →