Small-satellite synthetic aperture radar for continuous global biospheric monitoring: a review
Name
remotesensing-12-02546-v2.pdf
Size
16.21 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
8aee6741001a7768e15d56abd6be1676
Author(s)
Paek, Sung Wook
Balasubramanian, Sivagaminathan
Kim, Sangtae
de Weck, Olivier L
Date Issued
August 2020
Journal
Remote Sensing
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Citation
Paek, Sung Wook et al. "Small-satellite synthetic aperture radar for continuous global biospheric monitoring: a review." Remote Sensing 12, 16 (August 2020): 2546 ©2020 Author(s)
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Space-based radar sensors have transformed Earth observation since their first use by Seasat in 1978. Radar instruments are less affected by daylight or weather conditions than optical counterparts, suitable for continually monitoring the global biosphere. The current trends in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) platform design are distinct from traditional approaches in that miniaturized satellites carrying SAR are launched in multiples to form a SAR constellation. A systems engineering perspective is presented in this paper to track the transitioning of space-based SAR platforms from large satellites to small satellites. Technological advances therein are analyzed in terms of subsystem components, standalone satellites, and satellite constellations. The availability of commercial satellite constellations, ground stations, and launch services together enable real-time SAR observations with unprecedented details, which will help reveal the global biomass and their changes owing to anthropogenic drivers. The possible roles of small satellites in global biospheric monitoring and the subsequent research areas are also discussed.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
10.3390/rs12162546
