TerraSAR-X - Germany's radar eye in space TerraSAR-X is a German
Earth-observation satellite. Its primary payload is an X-band
radar sensor with a range of different modes of operation,
allowing it to record images with different swath widths,
resolutions and polarisations. TerraSAR-X thus offers space-
based observation capabilities that were previously unavailable.
The objective of the mission is to provide value-added SAR
(Synthetic Aperture Radar) data in the X-band, for research and
development purposes as well as scientific and commercial
applications. The successful launch of TerraSAR-X on 15 June
2007 at 08:14 local time from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan marked the start of a campaign to map the Earth at an
unprecedented level of accuracy. The aim is to create new, high-
quality radar images of the Earth’s surface over the next five
years. Night and overcast conditions are no problem for
TerraSAR-X German radar satellite TerraSAR-X The satellite is in
a near-polar orbit around the Earth