X-band interferometric SAR sensor for the Japanese altimetry mission, COMPIRA

COMPIRA (Coastal and Ocean Measurement mission with Precise and Innovative Radar Altimeter) is a new Japanese altimetry mission with X-band interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SHIOSAI; SAR Height Imaging Oceanic Sensor with Advanced Interferometry). We will use a wide-swath altimeter to maximize the spatial coverage of the altimetry measurements and to reduce errors in the tidal model in shallow marginal seas. We are now working on a conceptual study of the X-band interferometric synthetic aperture radar. In parallel, to demonstrate the sea surface height measurement with X-band interferometric SAR and obtain some parameters for design of SHIOSAI, we conducted aircraft experiments of the sea surface height measurement with an airborne interferometric SAR. In the paper, we will present current status of conceptual study of the SHIOSAI sensor and the airborne experiments.