TerraSAR-X

TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X

TerraSAR-X is a radar satellite providing earth observation products with a 1m resolution. The programme goal is to provide this high-resolution image product to a wide range of scientific and industrial users as a commercial service. TerraSAR-X has been accompanied by TanDEM-X. Together, both satellites will produce a digital evaluation model  (DEM) of Planet Earth. It will be available in 2014, providing a two meters resolution in vertical direction.

Satellites in Formation Flight

(Image: DLR)

Infoterra Deutschland GmbH, a subsidary of the EADS Astrium GmbH with the assignment to market the data products, has tasked SCISYS with implementing the monitoring & control and security functions for the commercial ground segment. This includes central network management functions as well as user authentification methods for TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X products.

Auxilliary System Element - AUX

  • The Auxilliary System Element (AUX) performs the monitoring, control and configuration of all facilities within the infrastructure of the commercial data dissemination network. In case of capacitiy overloads or malfunctions of several facilities, the AUX can initiate all necessary actions for troubleshooting.

Security Management System - SMS

  • By implementing a Security Management System (SMS), it will be ensured, that only authorised users will have access to the products and services of TerraSAR-X. Access to the data products will only be granted after a central authentication process. This approach combines a maximum of system security with the customers demand of flexible and promptly access to the image products.

TerraSAR-X can acquire earth observation data in three different modes. The major advantages of a radar satellite system, the independence of weather conditions and time of day, are readily identifiable. In the "Spotlight"-mode, a 10x10 km sized area will be acquired with a resolution of 1-2 meters, in the "Stripmap"-mode a stripe of 30 km width will be acquired with a resolution of 3-6 meters and in the "ScanSAR"-mode the acquisition of an area with 100 km width in a resolution of 16 meters is possible. The dissemination of this Basic Image Products will be enabled by the distributed data dissemination network.