SARTREK Newsletter: February 2003

In This Issue:

1. Update: Science and Operational Applications Research for RADARSAT-2 (SOAR) Program
2. RADARSAT- 2: Program and Operations Update
3. Ask The Expert

Update: Science and Operational Applications Research for RADARSAT-2 (SOAR) Program

The SOAR program document is soon to be released. In partnership with MDA, and the Canadian Government through the Canadian Space Agency and Natural Resources Canada's Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, the program will provide researchers and users the opportunity to obtain RADARSAT-2 data for testing the new capabilities in both existing operations and new application areas. The program document is in its final stages of approval within the partner organizations and should become available soon.

RADARSAT- 2: Program and Operations Update

The RADARSAT-2 program has defined a plan in which to calibrate the SAR system as quickly and efficiently as possible. The RADARSAT-2 SAR system includes more than 200 different beams with multi-polarization capabilities, and it is the intention to provide radiometric calibration for all products as well as polarimetric calibration for all Quad-Pol. data.

The Amazon rainforest region will be imaged to provide the radiometric and polarimetric calibration data. Equivalent data obtained with previous C-band satellite SAR systems have been demonstrated to provide the measurement consistency required for effective calibration.

The aim is to achieve full calibration of the primary imaging modes within six months of the start of the Mission Operational Phase.

Full Article (PDF File Size: 143 KB)

Ask The Expert

If you have any questions on RADARSAT-2 or some of the applications or analysis of the new RADARSAT-2 features, please send them to us. We will share the answers to your questions in a SAR -Trek e-newsletter.

Q: What key parameter is necessary for interpreting radar images of marine areas?

A: Surface wind speed.
As wind speed increases, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) signal-to-noise ratio decreases. Ocean features like fronts, eddies and internal waves further reveal slicks, and objects on the ocean: ships.

E-mail: "Ask the Expert"