The TerraSAR-X Ground Segment

TerraSAR-X, the first national German remote-sensing satellite, was launched on June 15, 2007. It carries an X-band high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument featuring imaging modes like StripMap, ScanSAR, and, particularly, SpotLight in a variety of different polarization modes. Primary mission goal is the provision of both science and commercial users with a variety of products from advanced SAR modes. The TerraSAR-X Ground Segment, which is provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), constitutes the central element for controlling and operating the TerraSAR-X satellite, for calibrating its SAR instrument, and for archiving the SAR data, as well as generating and distributing the basic data products. This paper depicts the ground-segment layout and describes its major elements. The ordering and product-generation workflow is presented. It introduces the applied prelaunch integration, testing, verification, and validation approach, a major key to the completion not only of the SAR technical-verification program but also the operational qualification of the ground segment itself within the commissioning phase.