TerraSAR-X next generation: Technology aspects

This paper gives an overview of the actual technology preparation and developments for the TerraSAR-X next generation satellites. On the basis of a complete new instrument architecture called SCOUT SAR, a high performance phased array antenna is considered as baseline for TerraSAR-X2. Equipped with Digital Beamforming Units and new processing methods, the SCOUT SAR will be evolved to a TerraSAR-X follow on providing High Resolution Wide Swath SAR.