TerraSAR-X marks two successful years in orbit

Friedrichshafen, 15 June 2009

TerraSAR-X, the German radar satellite, has completed two successful years of service since its launch on 15 June 2007. In contrast to optical systems, its radar technology has allowed the generation of images even in cloudy or night time conditions, thus ensuring that the satellite has operated non-stop. TerraSAR-X is Germany's first radar satellite and, at the same time, the first national remote sensing satellite which has been implemented in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Astrium in Friedrichshafen. DLR is responsible for planning and implementing the mission, controlling the satellite and the radar instrument, as well as for the scientific exploitation of the data from the new TanDEM-X satellite, which is due to be launched later this year.

Shortly after TerraSAR-X’s launch from the Russian Space Centre in Baikonur, DLR were able to present the first images from the satellite in just four days. Subsequently, commissioning of the satellite and the radar instrument were completed as planned, with the satellite becoming fully operational in early 2008. Since then, the mission has been characterised by a smooth operation and production process, generating a variety of unique imaging products, which have been used for both scientific and commercial purposes.

The launch of the TanDEM-X radar satellite, which is almost identical in construction, is scheduled for October 2009. Orbiting in a close formation with TerraSAR-X, at distances of between a few kilometres to just 200 metres, the two satellites will be able to capture data of unprecedented accuracy. This will ultimately lead to a global digital elevation model of all land masses on the Earth's surface.

Successful two-year results with excellent geolocation accuracy

Since the launch of the TerraSAR-X satellite, the Mission Control Centre of DLR has successfully planned, commanded and executed approximately 35,000 radar images of the Earth's surface and processed them into about 50,000 high-quality products for scientific and commercial users. The existing results impressively demonstrate the high quality of the TerraSAR-X products which, in many areas, even exceed the requirements. What has been of particularly impressive is the outstanding geolocation accuracy of better than 0.5 metres. This allows fully automatic, pixel-accurate superposition of two images of a scene acquired at different times. Further features are the high radiometric accuracy and the excellent radar instrument stability.

Various scientific and commercial applications due to radar technology

TerraSAR-X products can be used for numerous scientific and commercial applications. The main focus is on land applications, such as agriculture and forestry, land use/vegetation, observation of rural areas and cartography. Ice research and maritime applications have also benefited from the radar data. Three examples for the variety of applications are shown in the following.
Fast help from space in the case of natural disasters

Following natural disasters, TerraSAR-X data has been repeatedly used by international authorities for on-site crisis management support. This includes the mapping of flood areas and damage assessment after earthquakes. In early November 2007, heavy rainfall lasting for weeks led to devastating floods in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas, displacing about one million people and approximately half of Tabasco's overall population. About 80% of the state of Tabasco's surface, i.e. an overall area of approximately 25,000 square kilometres, was temporarily flooded. The DLR centre for satellite-based crisis Information (ZKI) supported the Mexican civil protection authority (CENAPRED) with satellite image maps of the floods. Capable of operating in cloudy conditions or at night time, TerraSAR-X is able to deliver high resolution imagery with a resolution of up to one metre.

Early detection of changes and climate influences in the Antarctica

With the help of the TerraSAR-X satellite, scientists have observed the loss of a huge ice bridge on the Antarctic Wilkins Ice Shelf. There, the first icebergs broke away on 20 April 2009 and the TerraSAR-X images show this development. These icebergs are breaking away at the failure zones which have gradually formed over the past 15 years. The high resolution of the TerraSAR-X satellite images enables the observation of deformations in the Wilkins Ice Shelf, down to a range of approximately 100 metres. This information enables the glaciologists to describe distortion more precisely with the help of models. Newly formed cracks are very narrow during their initial stages and are therefore not visible on images taken at a lower resolution, such as those supplied by the older generation of satellites. To reconstruct the chronological sequence of events, the kind of high-resolution images supplied by TerraSAR-X are necessary.
Weather-independent and cross-border traffic information via satellite - for traffic forecasting and better route suggestions

DLR has begun several months of tests into the feasibility of obtaining traffic information via satellite. TerraSAR-X is going to monitor selected motorway sections in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and California. The aim of this project is to develop a procedure for large-scale traffic data capture, independent of ground systems, which will permit the relay of data to various traffic information providers. In contrast to measurement procedures currently used, which are mostly stationary procedures, information gleaned by satellite can yield up-to-the-minute information, even from roads without sensors, whatever the weather, regardless of borders. The technology is not limited to discovering areas of high traffic density. It can also be used to calculate the average speed of motorway traffic, so that the exact journey time between junctions can be established. With the help of such information, traffic information service providers will be able to make better route suggestions – even in fog, heavy rain and darkness – thanks to the latest radar technology. However, the recognition of vehicle number plates is not possible with this technology.

The two add-on payloads also in successful operation

The secondary payloads of TerraSAR-X, i.e. the TESAT-built Laser Communication Terminal (LCT) and the Tracking, Occultation and Ranging (TOR) experiment provided by the geo-research centre (GFZ) are working perfectly. The LCT is a DLR financed technology demonstrator used for in-orbit verification of rapid optical data transfer in space. With the help of LCT, a reproducible data exchange between the two low-flying satellites, i.e. TerraSAR-X and NFIRE, could be obtained for the first time at a transmission rate of 5.5 gigabits per second.

Unique success story of the German radar satellite TerraSAR-X

Based on the experience gained in the first two years of operation, the TerraSAR-X mission can be considered to be an outstanding success story receiving recognition and appreciation from the US space agency NASA and other national space organisations, as well as the European Space Agency (ESA). For the coming years of operation, many more exciting results can be expected which will provide further scientific and commercial highlights.

Second TanDEM-X radar satellite scheduled for launch in October – providing third-dimension data

TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement), the second almost identical German radar satellite, has already been completed and is being extensively tested in Munich at Astrium and IABG. Its launch from the Russian Baikonur Space Centre is scheduled for October. By orbiting in close formation, the two satellites are to capture data of unprecedented accuracy for a global digital elevation model of all land masses of the Earth's surface.

About TerraSAR-X

TerraSAR-X is the first German satellite that has been manufactured under what is known as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Centre (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and Astrium GmbH in Friedrichshafen. The satellite travels around the Earth in a polar orbit and records unique, high-quality X-band radar data about the entire planet using its active antenna. TerraSAR-X works regardless of weather conditions, cloud cover or absence of daylight, and is able to provide radar data with a resolution of down to one metre per pixel

DLR is responsible for using TerraSAR-X data for scientific purposes. It is also responsible for planning and implementing the mission as well as controlling the satellite. Astrium built the satellite and shares the costs of developing and using it. Infoterra GmbH, a subsidiary company founded specifically for this purpose by Astrium, is responsible for marketing the data commercially.

About TanDEM-X

The TanDEM-X project is being implemented by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and
Astrium GmbH.

The primary goal of the TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) mission is to generate a global digital elevation model. To achieve this, two satellites – TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X, a satellite of almost identical construction which has been in orbit since 2007 – will form the first configurable SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) interferometer in space with a separation of only a few hundred metres. A powerful ground segment which is closely interfaced with that of TerraSAR-X completes the TanDEM-X system. The satellites will fly in formation and operate in parallel for three years to cover the entire surface of the Earth.

DLR is responsible for the scientific exploitation of the TanDEM-X data as well as for planning and implementing the mission, controlling the two satellites and generating the digital elevation model. Astrium built the satellite and shares in the cost of its development and exploitation. As with TerraSAR-X, the responsibility for marketing the TanDEM-X data commercially lies in the hands of Infoterra GmbH, a subsidiary of Astrium.

About Astrium

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2008, Astrium had a turnover of €4.3 billion and 15,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment and Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of €43.3 billion and employed a workforce of more than 118, 000.

About DLR

DLR is Germany's national research centre for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, transportation and energy is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany's Space Agency, the German federal government has given DLR responsibility for the forward planning and implementation of the German space programme as well as international representation of Germany's interests.

Approximately 6000 people work for DLR; the centre has 29 institutes and facilities at 13 locations in Germany: Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Cologne (headquarters), Goettingen, Hamburg, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Stuttgart, Trauen and Weilheim. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris and Washington, D.C.

Contacts for the media

Matthieu Duvelleroy
EADS Astrium (FR)
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 32

Daniel Mosely
EADS Astrium (UK)
Tel.: +44 (0)1 438 77 8180

Ralph Heinrich
EADS Astrium (GER)
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 607 33971

Francisco Lechón
EADS Astrium (ESP)
Tel.: +34 (0) 91 586 37 41
www.astrium.eads.net

Eduard Müller
German Aerospace Centre, DLR
Tel.: +49 (0) 2203 601-2805
Fax: +49 (0) 2203 601-3249
mailto: [email protected]