P-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar for Planetary Subsurface Imaging Applications

The Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar (SESAR) is a new P-band radar instrument development for planetary applications that will enable unprecedented surface and near-subsurface measurements of planetary bodies including the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. The radar will measure full polarimetry at meter scale resolution, and achieve beam agility through programmable digital beamforming architecture. The radar features a low power, lightweight, modular design, specifically developed to meet stringent launch and operation requirements of planetary instruments. A prototype SESAR system is currently being developed under NASA's MATISSE (Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration) program.