Abstract This paper introduces Multi-Application Purpose SAR (MAPSAR). A new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mission for earth observation. MAPSAR is the result of a joint pre-phase A study conducted by INPE and DLR targeting a mission for assessment, management and monitoring of natural resources. The applicability of the sensor system was investigated for cartography, forestry, geology, geomorphology, hydrology, agriculture, disaster management, oceanography, urban studies and security. An L-band SAR, based on INPE's multi-mission platform (MMP), has been chosen as payload of the satellite. The key component of the SAR instrument is the SAR antenna, which is designed as an elliptical parabolic reflector antenna. L-band (high spatial resolution, quad-pol) has been selected for the SAR sensor as optimum frequency accounting for the majority of Brazilian and German user requirements. At the moment, the pre-phase A has been concluded and the phase A is planned to start in early 2003.