P-Band Distributed SAR

This chapter discusses a spaceborne P-band synthetic aperture radar concept based on a distributed architecture and formation flying technologies. This approach can in principle allow overcoming physical constraints that limit the performance of monolithic SARs, leading in the P-band case to huge antennas and hard swath/resolution trade-offs. The proposed SAR is based on a larger transmitting satellite and a set of lightweight receiving-only platforms. This architecture also enables multi-mission capabilities. In particular, forests observation and biomass estimation based on side-looking SAR data can be in theory combined with near nadir interferometric ice sounding. Payload concept is clarified, and a preliminary performance analysis in terms of ambiguity and coverage is proposed. Then, mission analysis, preliminary spacecraft design, and formation control architecture are briefly described.