Forest characterisation by means of TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X (polarimetric and) interferometric data

Tandem-X successfully launched in June 2010 forms with TerraSAR-X the first single-pass (single- dual- and quad-) polarimetric interferometer in space. This allows for the first time the acquisition and analysis of Pol-InSAR data in X-band from space without the disturbing effect of temporal decorrelation. In this paper TerraSAR-X TanDEM-X datasets are analyzed using Pol-InSAR techniques [1][2] in order to demonstrate the potential of the TanDEM-X mission for forest parameter inversion and forest characterisation. For this purpose dual-polarimetric (HH/VV) and single-pol datasets (HH) acquired during the pursuit monostatic and the bistatic commissioning phase are used. Estimated forest heights are validated against ground and airborne LIDAR measurements.