Processing synthetic aperture radar at CNES

Abstract This paper describes the two axes of the work being done at CNES about synthetic aperture radar (CSAR) and its processing, namely the work linked to VARAN S airborne radar and the work related to space radar missions, past or future, including prospects for new radar products, instruments and processing. The VARAN S radar, which became operational in April 1986, has been engaged in the various thematic studies where radar data are valuable: agriculture, glaciology, oceanography, forestry, geology, etc. This instrument has driven a good deal of the radar activities at CNES since it combined technical, operational and thematic aspects. This sensor has now undergone a complete rebuild to include lessons learned from early campaigns. The synthetic aperture softwares are thought to be quite mature now. Concerning the space missions, we first designed software to generate SIR B and SEASAT imagery and we prepared the ERS 1 satellite software. We also conducted some technical explorations of new techniques in order to better use radar specificity rather than trying optical imagery techniques to radar products. We are engaged in the very challenging design of the future SAR system, which will hopefully provide a very high flexibility with its electronically steerable antennae, attenuating the frontier between a completely programmable instrument and its processing and ground segment.