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TerraSAR-X Applications Guide Extract: Geospatial / Image Intelligence April 2015

TerraSAR-X Applications Guide

Geospatial / Image Intelligence

Issue

For Geospatial / Image Intelligence imagery should

be collected as quick, temporal dense and reliably as

possible for serving prompt requests from users and

the need to derive information about continuous

activities on the ground. Furthermore, imagery should

contain as much information as possible in order to

feed multiple interests of different users.

Market

Defence

Achievements

TerraSAR-X imagery is typically used for the classification, recognition and also identification

of objects (airplanes, hangars, vessels) - depending on the resolution of the utilised mode

(Figure 1).

Figure 1: Aircraft Recognition using TerraSAR-X Staring SpotLight Imagery

TerraSAR-X Applications Guide

Figure 2: Ship Recognition using TerraSAR-X Staring SpotLight Imagery

Furthermore, TerraSAR-X can be utilised for the monitoring of sites (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Surface to Air Missile system S-300 - (a) June 2013 (existing system), (b) March 2014 (site

not occupied).

Benefits of using TerraSAR-X

The highest commercially available resolution from TerraSAR-X offers very good recognition

/ identification potential.

(a) (b)

TerraSAR-X Applications Guide

Using TerraSAR-X allows to generally decrease time gaps between information gathering

whenever optical data are difficult to acquire or not available (e.g. due to cloud coverage,

fog, haze, smog or daylight constraints).

In case of very dense temporal information need, an intra-day combination of SAR and

optical data can be considered (cross-cueing): The time span between observations can be

decreased due to the availability of SAR in the morning and the evening in combination with

optical acquired during the day.

Furthermore, TerraSAR-X as an active SAR sensor provides additional information like

identification of moving objects including speed and movement direction – impossible using

optical imagery.

Figure 4: TerraSAR-X sample determination of ship velocity (Strait of Gibraltar)

In addition, it is possible to recognize camouflaged (net camouflaged) objects and sheltered

objects (e.g. sheltered aircraft), which is again not possible using optical imagery (Figure 5).

Figure 5: TerraSAR-X sample for the penetration of aircraft shelter material: Different status recognisable in RGB colour composite of repeat-pass acquisitions (change detection)

TerraSAR-X Applications Guide

A specific character of radar imagery is the possibility of getting an exact and detailed profile

of higher objects. The result is comparable to airborne reconnaissance and very powerful for

recognition and identification.

Figure 6: TerraSAR-X sample for generating an "oblique" character image of higher objects

Chapter 3.6.1. describes further advantages related to change detection.

Data Specifications

Table 1: Recommended Image Specification

Image Modes: Staring SpotLight

High Resolution SpotLight

Assumed Analysis Approach: Visual Interpretation

System Settings:

Polarization HH

Incidence

Angle [Degree] 40 - 50

Orbit Either Ascending or Descending

TerraSAR- Image Product

Basic Image

Product: GEC

Resolution

Mode: Spatially Enhanced (SE)

File Format: GEOTIFF

Note: Recommended image specification is an indication only. It may vary depending on the software used.

Airbus Defence and Space, Geo-Intelligence does not guarantee relevant capability.

Products and Services available from Airbus Defence and Space, Geo-Intelligence

SAR IMINT Training

TerraSAR-X Image Manual (TIM)

TerraSAR-X Applications Guide

Related Case Studies

None

Related Publications

None

Related Sample Datasets

1 x Staring SpotLight Marseille, France (GEC, SE, HH)

1 x Staring SpotLight Shanghai, China (GEC, SE, HH)

Suitable Software

Note: Information provided by Software Providers, Airbus Defence and Space, Geo-Intelligence does not

guarantee relevant capability.

BAE Systems ExelisGAMMA Remote

Sensing AG 

Hexagon

Geospatial/

GEOSYSTEMS

GmbH

Joanneum

Research PCI Geomatics Racurs

Textron

Geospatial

Solutions

Trimble

SOCET GXP ENVI SARscape

GAMMA

MSP,ISP,DIFF&GE

O,LAT, IPTA

ERDAS IMAGINE

RSG - Remote

Sensing

Software

Package Graz

Geomatica and

GXLPhotomod Radar

RemoteView,

ELT5500, and

Global

ImageViewer

eCognition

•Visual Interpretation X X X X X X X X X

Application

Company Name

Provided Software

Geospatial / Image Intelligence