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Glacial retreat in the Alps – first comprehensive documentation

08 July 2020
A research team from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) conducted the first study of area and elevation changes for all Alpine glaciers over a period of 14 years. This involved comparing three-dimensional terrain models obtained from the German radar satellite mission TanDEM-X and the German-US Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) between 2000 and 2014. The team combined the elevation models with optical images from NASA’s Landsat satellites. They found that the Alps have lost approximately 17 percent of their total ice volume since the turn of the millennium. The team recently published the results of their study in the journal Nature Communications.

Congratulations, TanDEM-X – 10 years of 3D mapping from space

25 June 2020
A new era in radar remote sensing began 10 years ago, on 21 June 2010, when the radar satellite TanDEM-X was launched. Since then, it has been orbiting Earth in close formation flight with TerraSAR-X, its three-year-older 'twin'. The distance between the satellites varies between several kilometres and sometimes only 120 metres. This enables the radar sensors to obtain a 3D view of Earth. This is referred to as a bistatic interferometer in space, which allows the terrain structure to be recorded in three dimensions in just one pass. This space mission continues to be globally unique.

DLR manufactures medical auxiliary equipment for Fürstenfeldbruck Hospital

09 June 2020
Since the beginning of the corona crisis, the 3D printers of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have been doing their work outside of aerospace research. The specialists from the Systemhaus Technik successfully converted the systems and were thus able to deliver the first auxiliary medical equipment. Among others, the Microwaves and Radar Institute at the Oberpfaffenhofen site was also involved in this project (IN GERMAN).

50 Years "Earth Day" - Satellites observe dramatic changes on Earth

21 April 2020
IN GERMAN: Millionen Menschen gingen am 22. April 1970 - heute vor 50 Jahren - in den USA auf die Straßen, um gegen Ölpest, Umweltverschmutzung, Walfang und Giftmüll zu demonstrieren - und sie begründeten damit eine Initiative, die schon bald den gesamten Globus erfassen sollte: Die Umweltbewegung, an die der heutige "Earth-Day" erinnert, hat unsere Zivilisation geprägt - vielfach mit wesentlichen Erkenntnissen aus dem Weltraum. In Corona-Zeiten lautet auch hier die Devise #EarthDayAtHome - unter diesem Hashtag sind beispielhaft Aktionen und Informationen zusammengestellt, die wir von zu Hause aus tun können, um unser Bewusstsein für die Verletzlichkeit und Einzigartigkeit unseres blauen Planeten zu schärfen.

Deutschland ist seit dem Start des ersten deutschen Forschungssatelliten AZUR im November 1969 zu einem der weltweit wichtigsten Partner für die friedliche Erforschung der Erde aus dem All geworden. Das Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) spielte und spielt hier eine Schlüsselrolle mit eigenen Missionen wie dem deutschen Radarsatelliten-Zwillingspaar TerraSAR-X und TanDEM-X und ab 2021 der EnMAP-Mission sowie den deutschen Beiträgen an ESA-Erdbeobachtungssatelliten wie dem ersten europäischen Wettersatelliten Meteosat in den 1970-er Jahren, gefolgt von ERS und Envisat bis hin zum aktuellen europäischen Satellitennetzwerk des Copernicus-Programmes.

Earth observation using radar interferometry: Development of the Patagonian Ice Fields reveals the enormous complexity of physical interactions

10 December 2019
The glaciers and ice fields in the South American region of Patagonia have been in retreat since the Little Ice Age between the early 14th century and the mid-19th century. In recent decades, the loss of ice masses associated with tropospheric warming has accelerated. From 2000 to 2016 the Patagonian Ice Fields contributed approximately six percent to the eustatic sea level rise of 0.74 millimetres per year.

Brazil delegation visits DLR

04 December 2019
IN GERMAN: Brasilien und Deutschland blicken auf eine seit fast fünf Jahrzehnten bestehende erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit zurück. Die Schwerpunkte der wissenschaftlich-technologischen Zusammenarbeit (WTZ) sind seit 1969 Aktivitäten in den Bereichen Raumfahrt und Aeronautik, begleitet von Projekten in Werkstofftechnologie sowie Energie- und Verkehrstechnik.

U.N. Climate Change Conference – DLR presents Tandem-L Satellite Mission

03 Dezember 2019
IN GERMAN: Die diesjährige Weltklimakonferenz (COP25) der Vereinten Nationen findet vom 2. bis 13. Dezember 2019 in Madrid statt. Im Rahmen des „Earth Information Day 2019“ stellte das Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) am zweiten Tag des Klimagipfels Tandem-L vor, den Vorschlag für eine neuartige Satellitenmission zum Monitoring der Erde. Mithilfe von Tandem-L könnten zukünftig die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels überwacht werden und gleichzeitig die Wirksamkeit politischer Maßnahmen zur Eindämmung des Klimawandels kontrolliert werden. Insgesamt zwei Radarsatelliten sollen die Veränderungen der Erde im Wochenrhythmus erfassen – in hoher Auflösung und unabhängig von Wetter oder Tageszeit.

10 Years Microwave Research in "TechLab"

IN GERMAN: Die Forschungsarbeit des Instituts für Hochfrequenztechnik und Radarsysteme im Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) blickt auf jahrzehntelange Erfahrungen zurück. Am Standort Oberpfaffenhofen wurden bereits in den 1930er Jahren die Eigenschaften von Antennen und deren Funktionsweise untersucht. Seit dieser Zeit werden Messverfahren und Techniken stetig weiterentwickelt. Im Jahr 2009 wurde mit dem Bau des "TechLab" ein hochmodernes Forschungsumfeld erschaffen, das bis heute auch zukünftigen Ansprüchen der Forschung gerecht wird. Das Institut erweiterte damit seine einzigartige Infrastruktur für die Entwicklung innovativer Erdbeobachtungsmissionen wie aktuell der Vorschlag für die Radarsatellitenmission Tandem-L.

German radar satellites provide precious environmental data

24 October 2019
IN GERMAN: Es ist heute kein Geheimnis mehr, dass sich unsere Umwelt seit Beginn der Industrialisierung rasanter verändert als zuvor. Die deutschen Satellitenmissionen TerraSAR-X und TanDEM-X liefern seit 2007 und 2010 einzigartige Erdbeobachtungsdaten, aus denen reichhaltige Erkenntnisse über unsere Umwelt gewonnen werden können. Wissenschaftliche Nutzer aus der ganzen Welt sind am Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen zusammengekommen, um im Rahmen des „TerraSAR-X und TanDEM-X Science Meetings“ die aus den Daten gewonnenen Ergebnisse auszutauschen und Anforderungen an künftige Fernerkundungstechnologien zu formulieren. In mehr als 100 Präsentationen offenbart sich vom 21. bis 24. Oktober 2019 der neueste Stand der Forschung. Begleitend dazu stellt der TanDEM-X-Blog Vorträge aus dem „Science Meeting“ vor und skizziert, in welcher Weise die Daten der zwei Radarmissionen Forscher weltweit unterstützen.

25th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Missions SIR-C/X-SAR

07 October 2019
Earth observers like to 'look' at the Earth with radar sensor systems. They allow high-precision images of the surface and have a great advantage over optical cameras: images can be taken not only in excellent visibility, but also in cloudy conditions, rain or at night. Research into space-based radar technologies has a long history. A milestone was the multi-frequency radar system SIR-C/X-SAR. 25 years ago, the Space Shuttle Endeavour flew around the world twice, in April and October 1994. It was the most advanced civil radar in Earth orbit at that time – and for Earth observation it was as big a step as the transition from black-and-white to colour film in photography.

TanDEM-X Science Team Meeting (October 21 - 24, 2019): Preliminary Program now available

25 September 2019
The TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X Science Meeting approaches. It takes place at DLR Oberpfaffenhofen. Please register until Oktober 11, 2019. A preliminary program is now available: DOWNLOAD.

TanDEM-X Earth observation mission: Tidal glaciers in Greenland – TanDEM-X elevation models show strongest decline in 80 years

13 September 2019
The Kangerlussuaq Glacier is the largest glacier on the southeast coast of Greenland and flows into the fjord of the same name. The glacier front, which in the past was protected by an ice mélange – a mixture of sea ice and calved icebergs – is retreating at an increasing rate. The glacier calves approximately 24 cubic kilometres of ice into the ocean every year. This corresponds to about five percent of the amount of ice lost annually by the entire Greenland ice sheet. Using a time series of 150 TanDEM-X elevation models of the Kangerlugssuaq Glacier, scientists from Swansea University in the United Kingdom have measured the decrease in the glacier’s surface height.

South America: TanDEM-X reveals glaciers in detail

12 June 2019
A precise understanding of glacier evolution requires knowledge of a glacier's exact mass. This is important in South America, in the tropical regions between Bolivia and Venezuela, where meltwater from glaciers provides drinking water during the dry season. However, basic data about mass changes in glaciers are not easy to obtain. Mass losses are also contributing to rising sea levels on a global scale. As a new analysis method using TanDEM-X data shows, this is particularly true for Patagonia.

TERRA_Byte – Top computing power for researching global change

27 May 2019
One of Europe's largest supercomputing centres – the Leibniz Computer Centre (LRZ) of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences – and Europe's largest space research institution – the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) – will work together to evaluate the vast quantities of data acquired by Earth observation satellites alongside other global data sources, such as social networks, on the state of our planet on a daily basis.

Global TanDEM-X forest map is available

06 May 2019
Forests are Earth's lungs; they help to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and thus counteract global warming, while also providing protection and resources for humans, animals and plants – and they are being lost at an alarming rate. As the view from space reveals, forests cover about one third of Earth’s landmass today. More than half of the world’s forests, which have fallen victim to deforestation since the middle of the 20th century in particular, have already been lost. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), Microwaves and Radar Institute (HR) has created a special dataset to monitor, assess, and protect the current state and development of this green organ with precision – the global TanDEM-X Forest/Non-Forest Map.

Waves on ice - "Radar Eye" TanDEM-X monitors trucks on ice roads

13 March 2019
IN GERMAN: Eine Studie vom Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation untersuchte den Nutzen von TanDEM-X für die Unterstützung des Eisstraßenmanagements mit Fokus auf den nordwestlichen Territorien Kanadas. Dabei entstand aus zwei TanDEM-X-Datensätzen eine Abbildung, auf der wellenförmige Hebungen und Senkungen einer Eisdecke zu erkennen sind. Ursache sind die Ice Road Trucks, die in den Wintermonaten über die gefrorenen Seen in Kanada transportieren.

Glacier shrinkage in Antarctica: Better Predictions thanks to innovative radar technologies

01 February 2019
IN GERMAN: Der Thwaites Gletscher gehört zu den fragilsten Gletschern der Westantarktis und schmilzt mit zunehmender Geschwindigkeit unaufhaltsam in die Amundsen See. Bislang ist er für rund vier Prozent des globalen Meeresspiegelanstiegs verantwortlich und kann mit seinen verbleibenden Eismassen die Ozeane künftig um mehr als 65 Zentimeter steigen lassen. Mithilfe der deutschen Radarsatelliten TerraSAR-X und TanDEM-X ist es erstmals möglich, den Thwaites Gletscher und andere Polgebiete flächendeckend mit hoher Auflösung dreidimensional zu vermessen und regelmäßig zu beobachten.

Season´s Greetings and wishes from TanDEM-X!

23 December 2018
All people living in the world today are descended from Africans who left the continent at least 100,000 years ago. Those who stayed behind continued to innovate and develop their knowledge and ideas. The TanDEM-X image above shows the topography of Cape Town and its surroundings. Table Mountain, a well-known landmark of the city, is seen just south of the harbor area. The Cape Town region is characterized by an extensive coastline, rugged mountain ranges, coastal plains, inland valleys and semi-desert fringes.

TanDEM-X was launched in 2010 and has been operating together with its twin TerraSAR-X as a bistatic SAR interferometer since the beginning of 2011. The global digital elevation model of TanDEM-X became available in 2016 and surpassed all expectations. It has 99.9% coverage, 12-m posting, absolute height accuracy of approximately 1 m. This unique data set has been available since then for commercial and scientific applications. This year, the low-resolution version of the TanDEM-X digital elevation model with 90-m posting has been released for free download for scientific applications.

Look out for further news on TanDEM-X at www.dlr.de/HR

The Microwaves and Radar Institute sends many Season´s Greetings and wishes you a Happy New Year 2019!

Claudia Roth, Member of the Bundestag, visits HR Institute

20 December 2018
Climate research and remote sensing have been the topics when Claudia Roth, Member of the Bundestag, the German parliament, came to the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on 20 December 2018. One of five stations in DLR was a short visit at our Institute. Amongst other things, she also informed herself about TanDEM-X and the anticipated Tandem-L SAR satellite mission, initiated by the HR Institute. Tandem-L will provide, in weekly rhythm, latest data to dynamically running processes on the Earth surface (ARTICLE IN GERMAN).

Global 3D elevation model from the TanDEM-X mission now freely available

08 October 2018
The 90-metre TanDEM-X Digital Elevation Model has been released for scientific use and is now available as a global dataset. By providing this data, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) follows the EU data policy under the Copernicus Earth observation programme, which encourages free and open access to satellite data.

Thawing permafrost with radar eyes

14 September 2018
IN GERMAN: Wissenschaftler des Instituts für Hochfrequenztechnik und Radarsysteme des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) entwickeln spezielle Radartechnologien und Analyseverfahren, die eine hochgenaue Beobachtung von Permafrost ermöglichen. Permafrost prägt seit Jahrtausenden den Untergrund der arktischen und subarktischen Breiten und reicht von wenigen Metern bis mehr als einen Kilometer tief ins Erdinnere.

Tandem-L at the space science congress COSPAR

24 July 2018
IN GERMAN: Der weltgrößte Weltraumforschungskongress des Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) fand vom 14. bis 22. Juli 2018 in Pasadena, Kalifornien, statt. Auf dem Kongress tauschten sich mehr als 3.000 Wissenschaftler aus aller Welt über neueste Erkenntnisse der Weltraumforschung aus. Auch Tandem-L wurde in einer begleitenden Ausstellung vorgestellt.

1.000 Kilometers on the ice shelf - withTerraSAR-X

23. Mai 2018
IN GERMAN: Das größte Sicherheitsrisiko beim Überqueren des Schelfeises ist die Spaltenbildung. So können unter der Schneedecke Gletscherspalten verborgen sein, die bis zum Meeresniveau hinab reichen."Ohne die Daten von TerraSAR-X wäre es so, als ob wir uns blind auf einem Minenfeld bewegen."

DLR at ILA Berlin 2018: The satellite mission Tandem-L with large deployable reflector antennas in formation flight

23 April 2018
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) will present its latest projects and research results at the ILA Berlin Air Show from 25 to 29 April 2018. Again one of the largest institutional exhibitors in 2018, DLR will provide fascinating insights into its current research. DLR will also showcase its research in the fields of Earth observation, suborbital hypersonic transport and space exploration at its stand in Hall 4. The innovative Tandem-L concept for global, radar-based environmental and climate monitoring will be presented to visitors. DLR at ILA-2018 Berlin, Interview Manfred Zink, event.dlr.de.

HR Institute now certificated according to "ISO9001:2015"

17 April 2018 - Our Institute successfully renewed its certification according to the quality management standard ISO9001. In course of the recertification process, HR updated its quality management system to the new revision of the ISO9001:2015. The external auditor confirmed that the quality management system of HR is in line with the new revision of the standard and recommend the granting of the new certificate. We would like to thank all colleagues who contributed to this success.

PAZ Earth observation satellite successfully launched

22 February 2018
The Spanish Earth observation satellite PAZ was successfully launched on 22 February 2018 at 15:17 CET from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States, on board a Falcon 9 rocket. Interestingly, PAZ is being positioned on the same orbit as the German TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X radar satellites. Launch video: HERE.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2018

01 February 2018
IN GERMAN: Der globale Wandel und der Klimawandel stellen große Herausforderungen an unsere Gesellschaft. Die Raumfahrtforschung des DLR unterstützt die kontinuierliche und weltweite Beobachtung der Atmosphäre und der Erde aus dem Weltraum. Große Erwartungen haben wir für das Projekt TanDEM-L. Zwei Radar-Erdbeobachtungssatelliten werden die Landmasse der Erde in drei Dimensionen alle acht Tage abbilden. Das DLR forscht und entwickelt auch im Bereich der schnellen optischen Kommunikation über Satelliten sowie zur kryptographischen Sicherung mit Hilfe von Quantentechnologien.

Helmholtz-Alliance: Future prospects Tandem-L

24 November 2017
IN GERMAN: Die globalen Herausforderungen unserer Zeit reichen von Klimawandel und Umweltzerstörung – über Ressourcenknappheit und Bevölkerungswachstum – bis hin zu abnehmender Biodiversität. Probleme, für die auch in Deutschland dringend Lösungen gefunden werden müssen. Einen wissenschaftlichen Beitrag leistet dazu die Helmholtz-Allianz "Fernerkundung und Dynamik des Erdsystems" (EDA), das vom Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) federgeführt wird. Ziel der Forschungsallianz ist es, mit Hilfe von neuartigen Satellitenprodukten akkurate Prognosen zum Klimawandel und anderen Umweltprozessen aufzustellen.

DLR provides satellite data for Hurricane Harvey

30 August 2017
In anticipation of the catastrophic hurricane Harvey, the International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters' was activated early on the evening of 24 August 2017. This was initiated by the Charter member United States Geological Survey (USGS) on behalf of the Texas Emergency Management Council. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) provided real-time recordings and archive data from the German radar satellite TerraSAR-X, which enabled a detailed analysis and an overview of the flood situation.

Planet Earth in high-precision and in 3-D: State Secretary Matthias Machnig appreciates TerraSAR-X success

05 August 2017
IN GERMAN: 10 Jahre TerraSAR-X: Staatssekretär Matthias Machnig würdigt wissenschaftlichen und industriepolitischen Erfolg der weltweit einzigartigen Erdbeobachtungsmission. Deutschland ist mit TerraSAR-X und seinem Zwillingssatelliten TanDEM-X international führend in der radargestützten Fernerkundung.

DLR BLOG: TerraSAR-X monitors the "Larsen C" ice shelf break-apart

25 July 2017
IN GERMAN: Wir haben in den letzten Tagen viel in den Medien über den riesigen Eisberg lesen können, der sich am Larsen-C-Schelfeis an der Antarktischen Halbinsel gelöst hat. Dass Eisbergabbrüche von Eisschelfen natürliche Vorkommnisse sind und diese in der Antarktis immer wieder vorkommen, wurde in den Medienberichten richtig dargestellt. Und doch war dieses Ereignis präsenter als die bisherigen. Woran liegt das? Vermutlich daran, dass wir Wissenschaftler seit Monaten mithilfe von Satellitendaten dieses Gebiet der Antarktis verstärkt beobachten und regelrecht darauf gewartet haben, dass es endlich passiert. Außerdem ist diesmal doch ein verhältnismäßig großes Stück Eis abgebrochen, ungefähr sieben Mal so groß wie die Stadt Berlin.

DLR supplies precision transponders to the Canadian Space Agency

19 July 2017
The calibration of radar satellites is a key research area at the German Aerospace Center. "In the last few years, we have earned the undisputed status of an international calibration centre for radar satellites," says Alberto Moreira, Director of the DLR Microwaves and Radar Institute. The supply of transponders to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is the latest highlight in this success story.

Excellence in space – 10 years of TerraSAR-X

14 June 2017
Designed to return unique images of the Earth for five years, the German radar satellite TerraSAR-X has outdone itself. The satellite has been in operation for twice that time – and there is still no end in sight to its service.

DLRmagazin 154 - On the pulse of time

24 May 2017
IN GERMAN: Wie bewegen sich Berge? Wie entwickeln sich Wetter und Wasserverfügbarkeit? - Die Erdbeobachtung mit Radarsatelliten kann auf solche und viele andere Fragen Antworten geben Mit Tandem-L hat das DLR eine Mission für ein hochgenaues und dreidimensionales Abbild unserer sich wandelnden Erde konzipiert. Das Juni-Magazin beleuchtet das Zukunftsprojekt (Image: Traunstein, Bavaria, F-SAR, L-Band fully polarimetric)..

Support from space: Navigation through sea ice via radar satellites

27 April 2017
IN GERMAN: DLR unterstützt die Navigation in den eisbedeckten Gewässern durch Aufnahmen der Radarsatelliten TerraSAR-X und Sentinel-1. Erstmals wurden nun neben Radarbildern auch aus Satellitendaten generierte Eiskarten an Bord geschickt – Karten, die Rückschlüsse auf die Dicke und die Befahrbarkeit des Eises erlauben.

Book published: A.V. Osipov and S.A. Tretyakov "Modern Electromagnetic Scattering Theory with Applications" (2017)

06 March 2017
The book of our colleague Andrey Osipov has now been published: A.V. Osipov and S.A. Tretyakov "Modern Electromagnetic Scattering Theory with Applications" John Wiley & Sons, 824 p. ISBN 978-0-470-51238-8. Abstract: "The book gives fundamental knowledge about scattering and diffraction of electromagnetic waves and fills the gap between general electromagnetic theory courses and collections of engineering formulas. This self-contained book is a tutorial for advanced students learning the mathematics and physics of electromagnetic scattering and curious to know how engineering concepts and techniques relate to the foundations of electromagnetics."

"Luft- und Raumfahrt": Earth Observaton in 3-D - Tandem-L on track to become climate watcher

16 February 2017
IN GERMAN: Am 21. Juni 2010 startete der deutsche Erdbeobachtungssatellit TanDEM-X an Bord einer russisch-ukrainischen Dnjepr-Trägerrakete zu seiner Mission in den niedrigen Erdorbit ... Im September 2016 konnte die erste topografische Karte der Erde fertiggestellt werden. Sie ist 30-mal genauer als alle bisherigen globalen Datensätze. ... Währenddessen stecken die Wissenschaftler aber schon im nächsten wichtigen Projekt. Bereits seit fünf Jahren arbeiten sie an der Nachfolgemission Tandem-L, die ebenfalls aus zwei Satelliten im Formationsflug bestehen soll.

Deutschlandfunk: Satellites for Forests

13 February 2017
Press Release, Deutschlandfunk (IN GERMAN): "Seit 2010 fliegen die Satelliten TerraSAR-X und TanDEM-X nebeneinander um die Erde. Ihre Bilder zeigen, wie sich Städte entwickeln oder wo Wälder verschwinden. Aber ihre Radarstrahlen dringen kaum durch die Baumkronen der Wälder. Ihre Nachfolger sollen es besser machen und auch Informationen über die Struktur von Wäldern liefern." By Jochen Steiner [PDF]

Christmas News on TanDEM-X!

23 December 2016
This year, 2016, the processing and mosaicking of the TanDEM-X DEM was completed and it is now available for the science community and commercial users worldwide! The picture above shows a section of the TanDEM-X DEM from Egypt to Israel. Look out for further news on TanDEM-X at www.dlr.de/HR. The Microwaves and Radar Institute sends many Season´s Greetings and wishes you a Happy New Year 2017!

Future technology for glacier research

15 November 2016
IN GERMAN: Am Institut für Hochfrequenztechnik und Radarsysteme des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) haben Forscher eine neue Methode zur 3D Vermessung der Erde entwickelt. In enger Zusammenarbeit mit dem Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI) konnte diese Methode nun sehr erfolgreich zur Vermessung von Gletschern und Eisflächen angewendet werden.

AWI: New satellite mission promises great advances in glacier research

04 November 2016
IN GERMAN: Wissenschaftler des Alfred-Wegener-Institutes haben Experten des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) geholfen, eine neue Satelliten-Messmethode für die Beobachtung der großen Eismassen Grönlands und der Antarktis aus dem Weltall zu entwickeln. Tandem-L heißt ein neues Satellitenradar-System, das ab dem Jahr 2022 unter anderem dringend benötigte Daten zum Schrumpfen der Gletscher und Eisschilde in beiden Hemisphären liefern könnte. Über den Bau des Radars und den Start der gleichnamigen Satellitenmission berät der Wissenschaftsrat Ende November im Rahmen eines Begutachtungsverfahrens im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF).

How researchers use the latest Earth observation data - Part 3

20 October 2016
Part three of this blog series looks into our dynamic Earth: How is it changing, at what speed and with what consequences? The satellite missions TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X offer new perspectives, which inspire scientists to take new approaches.

How researchers use the latest Earth observation data - Part 2

19 October 2016
In the second part of the series on the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X Science Meeting in Oberpfaffenhofen, we present further applications for satellite data. This time, for example, biomass is determined with the help of 'Earth observers from space'. Up until Thursday, 20 October 2016, international scientists will use the congress to show their research results on satellite-based Earth observation and to exchange ideas.

How researchers use the latest Earth observation data - Part 1

19 October 2016
Researchers from across the globe are in Oberpfaffenhofen for the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X Science Meeting. For four days, from 17 to 20 October 2016, they have the opportunity to present their results from the data acquired by the two Earth observation satellite missions and exchange information. Here, approximately 200 presentations give an overview of the latest research in satellite-based Earth observation. The radar data are used in various scientific fields, from climate research to geosciences to forestry, infrastructure planning and remote sensing methodology.

The future of radar – scientific benefits and potential of TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X

17 October 2016
The German satellite duo TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X have consistently delivered one-of-a-kind Earth observation data since 2007 and 2010, hence shaping the international research landscape. Now, scientific users from across the globe have gathered for the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X Science Meeting at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen, where they will discuss the results obtained from the data and define requirements for future remote sensing technology.

New 3D world map – TanDEM-X global elevation model completed

29 September 2016
The new three-dimensional map of Earth has been completed. Mountain peaks and valley floors across the globe can now be seen with an accuracy of just one metre. The global elevation model was created as part of the TanDEM-X satellite mission; it offers unprecedented accuracy compared with other global datasets and is based on a uniform database.

HGF President visiting Oberpfaffenhofen

24 August 2016
Nearly one year ago, Prof. Otmar Wiestler has been appointed new President of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF). During his inaugural visit in Oberpfaffenhhofen, he also came to see our Institute (IN GERMAN).

Teamwork above the North Sea and Helgoland – Common flight campaign of MACS and F-SAR

03 August 2016
IN GERMAN: Wie sich Radardaten und Daten optischer Bildgebungsverfahren in Zukunft noch besser ergänzen können, testete das Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) über Helgoland. Das Institut für Optische Sensorsysteme und das Institut für Hochfrequenztechnik und Radarsysteme unternahmen hierzu eine gemeinsame Befliegung, um neue Methoden der Radar-Optik-Datenfusion zu entwickeln.

Next TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X Science Team Meeting: October 17-20, 2016 at DLR in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

20 July 2016
The main goal of the meeting is the presentation of results, exchange of experiences and the information about the TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X and Tandem-L mission status. Interested scientists are kindly invited to present their research results in an oral or poster presentation. Preliminary programs, registration, hotel, and general information on the TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X and Tandem-L workshop can be found on the Meeting Web Site.

Sentinel-1 satellites combine radar vision

22 June 2016
The twin Sentinel-1 satellites have – for the first time – combined to show their capability for revealing even small deformations in Earth’s surface. Colleagues of DLR's Microwaves and Radar (HR) Institute have been involved in this success, they were among those who processed the first Sentinel-1A vs Sentinel-1B interferograms presented in this ESA web story. Another interferogram processed by our colleagues is this one.

Welt am Sonntag: Ruler of 150 Million Square Kilometers (GERMAN)

12 June 2016
IN GERMAN: Seit sechs Jahren vermessen zwei Satelliten die Oberfläche der Erde neu. Ihre Daten liefern einem Team in Oberbayern das Material für die erste komplette Weltkarte in drei Dimensionen – und auch den Anlass für politischen Streit (Online Article).

DLR Magazin 148 - Remote Sensing 4.0

14 April 2016
Six years after its launch, the TanDEM-X radar satellite mission will achieve its primary mission objective. A digital elevation model of the Earth with unprecedented accuracy is now more than 90 percent complete and available for use by the international scientific community.

Press releases: New radar system to detect landmines

08 April 2016
DLR Researchers recently developed a ground-based radar system that efficiently detects landmines with low false-alarm-rates. First tests on an army base in Belgium proved the suitability of this system.

Clever ruse in case of mist and darkness

22. März 2016
DLR-Magazin: An airborne radar system supports the traffic management at large events (IN GERMAN).

Monitoring natural disasters with satellite images

08 March 2016
The Earth quake on Haiti 2010, a tsunami in Japan 2011 caused by a submarine earthquake or severe floodings that afflict countries as India or Bangladesh: Scientists of Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) meet in at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Bonn, Germany, in order to debate the way remote sensing images can coordinate help during natural disasters (ARTIKEL in GERMAN).

Focus on Gabon Forests for BIOMASS

03 March 2016
The DLR German Aerospace Center’s AfriSAR field team leader, Ralf Horn, said, “Everything went smoothly and the radar measurements are of excellent quality. The biggest challenge we faced was the weather, but most of the rain fell during the night and we were able to fly above the clouds.”

New radar system detects landmines

29 February 2016
DLR Researchers recently developed a ground-based radar system that efficiently detects landmines with low false-alarm-rates. First tests on an army base in Belgium proved the suitability of this system. Also the Bundeswehr indicates an interest (ARTICLE in GERMAN).

Germany's radar eyes in space

22 February 2016
In a formation flight, the German Aerospace Center's satellite twins are mapping the earth in 3-D. Their images make us wonder today: The run of Budapest's new metro tube, line 4, can be seen from space (ARTICLE in GERMAN).

Radar over the rainforest

24 February 2016
Dense rainforest, a twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft and advanced radar technology – researchers from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) are performing numerous measurement flights from 1 to 29 February 2016 over the central African country of Gabon to determine the state of the rainforest. The data obtained will help to improve climate models and better understand global warming. The campaign is being carried out in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), the French National Aerospace Research Center (Office National d'Etudes et Recherches Aérospatiales; ONERA), the Gabonese Agency for the Study of and Observation from Space (Agence d'Études et d'Observation Spatiales; AGEOS) and US Space Agency NASA. ONERA already performed measurement flights in July 2015, during the dry season, while DLR and NASA will research the rainforest with three aircraft during the rainy season. The results will serve as reference data for the ESA satellite mission BIOMASS, planned for launch in 2020, and the German Tandem-L mission proposal.

Faster detection of landmines using radar

22 February 2016
Every 20 to 30 minutes, somewhere in the world, a person – often a child – steps on a landmine. It is estimated that over 100 million anti-personnel mines are buried worldwide and a further 200 to 250 million are thought to remain in military storage facilities. This means they pose a constant threat, even long after the end of a conflict. In order to facilitate the reconstruction of a country and the safe return of refugees, the ground must be cleared of concealed ordnance. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has developed a radar-based method, 'TIRAMI-SAR', that will allow for the quick, safe and cost-effective detection of landmines.

Safer seafaring with satellites

17 February 2016
Sailing in the regions that polar researcher Arved Fuchs is currently navigating in his ship 'Dagmar Aaen' is a not an easy task. The 'Ocean Change' expedition is travelling around the Antarctic Peninsula, stopping off at a number of research stations to investigate how climate change is impacting the local environment. The expedition receives support from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), and the ship has now reached Deception Island. The DLR Earth Observation Center (EOC) is providing the crew with high-resolution radar images acquired by the German TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X satellites.

Heartfelt Christmas wishes from TanDEM-X

20 December 2015
It is a very special surprise that has been sent from TanDEM-X at this years' Christmas time: a heart from Mother Earth. A lot of beautiful forms have been created in Mother Earth's history, amongst others this well-formed heart. It is part of our TanDEM-X gallery http://www.dlr.de/hr/tdmx-gallery of selected TanDEM-X images. Can you find it? In which country does it reside? It is located at coordinate N 32.47 E 56.42 on the border between two provinces in Iran, at a western edge of Nayband National Park. This park is the worldwide last viable natural refuge for a rare leopard species that does only exist here in Iran. Look out for further news on TanDEM-X at www.dlr.de/hr. The Microwaves and Radar Institute sends many season greetings and wishes you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2016!

Greenland's glaciers are melting - DLR satellites provide data for new long-term study

12 November 2015
IN GERMAN: Bislang galten die Gletscher im Nordosten Grönlands wegen der starken Kälte als sicher vor der Klimaerwärmung. Ein Forscherteam der amerikanischen University of California, Irvine (UCI) konnte nun jedoch in einer Langzeitstudie am Gletscher Zachariæ Isstrøm zeigen, dass die riesigen Eismassen schneller schmelzen als bisher angenommen.

The most precise map of the world

05 August 2015
The Planet Earth in 3D, and more precise than ever before! Research scientists create, with the aid of two satellites, a map of the world that has 30 times more precision. Those people who are planning an ‘active’ holiday usually take along a lot of gear – and this certainly includes a detailed hiking or biking map with precise elevation readings.

DLR/NASA – 3D radar measurements of forest areas

15 July 2015
The radar experts at DLR partnered with the US aerospace agency NASA in a measurement campaign, which has now confirmed the capability of the F-SAR system. The cooperation was aimed at validating the suitability of the radar data to infer a variety of parameters, including a forest’s height or vertical structure.

DLR Magazin - About heights and depths

24 June 2015
Summer time - vacation time. Read our "DLR Magazin" title story about "Heights and Depths" in the Wadden Sea measured via airborne SAR interferometry with F-SAR (IN GERMAN).

F-SAR overflies lava fields on Iceland

12 June 2015
These 'earthly' measurements will be part of a study for a future extraterrestric mission. New radar technologies are now tested and will one day fly to Venus on a NASA probe whose radar will be able to penetrate dense clouds of acid sulfur in the Venus atmosphere to explore Venus' volcanic surface (IN GERMAN).

ARCTIC15 - Airborne SAR acquisitions up and running

02 June 2015
Three calibration flights, 10 flights to test sites, and over 100 radar data sets resulting in 4.8 Terabyte of SAR data. These are the numbers behind the work our F-SAR team conducted within the last two weeks – including even the alteration from the X-C-S-L to the P-band antenna configuration and fortunately only one bad weather day.

Cosmic scarring in radar view

12 June 2015
There are just 188 known meteorite craters worldwide. Some span a mere 10 metres, while others extend across 160 kilometres and are significantly more impressive. They all share a common history – an object from outer space must hit the Earth travelling at least 11 kilometres per second, or 39,000 kilometres per hour, to leave behind an impact crater.

DLR Article: Radar's view into eternal ice

22 May 2015
The Greenland ice sheet is, in places, more than three kilometres thick and a crucial feature in climate modelling. Scientists of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), together with colleagues from ETH Zurich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich), are currently conducting tests of new radar imaging methods in a research flight campaign over Greenland initiated by the Microwaves and Radar Institute in cooperation with the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO). These methods shall provide information about three-dimensional snow and ice conditions at depths of up to 50 metres.

DLR AERONAUTICS BLOG: F-SAR Greenland Campaigns "ARCTIC15" and "DALOEX15"

21 May 2015
Our F-SAR Greenland campaign ARCTIC15 can now also be followed in DLR blog AERONAUTICS.

BLOG: F-SAR Greenland Campaigns "ARCTIC15" and "DALOEX15"

13 May 2015
Learn what happend so far during our F-SAR Greenland campaigns ARCTIC15 and DALOEX15.

F-SAR Greenland Campaigns "ARCTIC15" and "DALOEX15"

13 May 2015
ARCTIC15 is a campaign promoted by the Microwaves and Radar Institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), carried out in cooperation with the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) as well as ETH Zurich, and with the support of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). It takes place in Greenland from mid-April to end-May 2015 with the objective of collecting polarimetric-interferometric SAR data at different frequencies (X-, C-, S-, L- and P-band) over different facies of the ice sheet, while the objective of the DALO part of the campaign (DALOEX 2015) is to explore the possibilities that advanced SAR systems provide for surveillance etc. in Arctic scenarios.

DLR Support: Nepal Earthquake on the Radar

29 April 2015
Radar imagery from the Sentinel-1A satellite shows that the maximum land deformation is only 17 km from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, which explains the extremely high damage experienced in this area. Our Institute now helped producing first Sentinel interferograms mapping these deformations.

TanDEM-X image of the month - Changes in permafrost landscapes

01 April 2015
Approximately one quarter of the Northern Hemisphere contains permafrost – an area so vast it can only be regularly and comprehensively monitored through satellite remote sensing. The Lena Delta in Siberia lies in such a permafrost zone.

FRINGE'15: Ground deformation around the city of Naples

23. März 2015
Ten Sentinel-1A radar scans acquired between 7 October 2014 and 12 March 2015 were combined to create this image of ground deformation around the city of Naples, which includes the active volcanic areas of Italy’s Phlegraean Fields – or Campi Flegrei – and the Vesuvius volcano. Dark blue indicates areas that experienced an uplift of about 0.5 cm per month, while red areas show subsidence down to 0.5 per month. The purple square over the city of Naples indicates the location of the calibration point. These preliminary results are presently presented at the Fringe Workshop at ESA’s ESRIN centre for Earth observation.

Data Transmission via LTE

18 March 2015
So far, in the VABENE++ project data gets transmitted from the aircraft/helicopter to the ground via a special microwave link or an optical laser link. However, for these data links a special mobile ground station needs to be set up in the field. Now a study was carried out to investigate whether the modern mobile communication standard “Long Term Evolution” (LTE) can be used as an alternative or supplementary data transfer technique. For data reception on the ground only the already available LTE ground station infrastructure of the cellphone providers was considered.

POLinSAR Workshop: Mapping forest structure from space

02 February 2015
Over the last 10 years a new method using satellite radar data has been maturing to provide 3D views of Earth’s natural resources and urban environments. Scientists from around the world gathered recently to share the latest advances in the exciting technique of ‘POLinSAR’.

Christmas news on TanDEM-X

23. Dezember 2014
One of Santa Claus' reindeers has been spotted by TanDEM-X. It has been hiding itself on the snow-covered, mountainous Tajmyr peninsula in North Siberia. Can you see it? We are now very excited and wonder if TanDEM-X will be able to reveal the secret home of Santa Claus, too. Look out for further news on TanDEM-X at www.dlr.de/hr. The Microwaves and Radar Institute sends many season greetings and wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sentinel-1A: Mexico City Subsidence

15 December 2014
ESA’s satellite Sentinel-1A now measures the subsidence of Mexico City as previously done by TerraSAR-X in 2010. Five Sentinel-1A radar scans acquired between 3 October and 2 December 2014 were combined to create this image of ground deformation in Mexico City. These preliminary results have been obtained by the Microwaves and Radar Institute in the frame of an ESA study to evaluate the interferometric performance of the Sentinel-1A satellite. The deformation is caused by ground water extraction, with some areas of the city subsiding with a deformation rate of up to 2.5 cm/month (red).
Read more: ESA Space Images, Spiegel-ONLINE, SWR Blog.

TanDEM-X: A feel for ice

25 November 2014
Shelves of ice, hundreds of metres thick, breaking into thousands of small icebergs that melt away in just a few days. This is not a scene from a disaster movie, but actually happened in the Antarctic in 1995 and 2002. High-resolution images acquired by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) TanDEM-X satellite are helping glaciologists from the University of Innsbruck track down the causes.

TanDEM-X - Gallery now on-line!

20 November 2014
TanDEM-X not only provides scientific data. From an artistic point of view, it also provides astonishing images. A collection of beatifully visualized Digital Elevation Models has now been compiled for the first time and put on-line in an image gallery via www.dlr.de/hr/tdmx-gallery.

TanDEM-X – Start of the Science Phase of the mission

10 October 2014
After four years of successful data acquisition for the new global topographical map of Earth, the Science Phase is beginning.

Blog: Satellite formation change successfully completed

24 September 2014
IN GERMAN: Den Missionen TerraSAR-X und TanDEM-X standen wieder Tage der Veränderung ins Haus - und zwar die Änderung der Flugformation des Raumsegments. Der Grund dafür war der Übergang in eine neue Phase der Mission nachdem die Aufnahmen für das globale Höhenmodell Mitte September abgeschlossen wurden. Bis Ende 2015 werden mit der TanDEM-X-Mission neuartige Radartechniken und innovative Anwendungen erprobt.

Radar remote sensing: Research for acriculture and climate

19 September 2014
IN GERMAN: Das Erntejahr 2014 nähert sich dem Ende und in ganz Deutschland zeichnen sich für Weizen, Mais & Co. insgesamt gute Erträge ab. Standortabhängig zeigen sich jedoch extreme Unterschiede. Für optimalen Anbau ist es daher wichtig, den Zustand des Bodens und der Pflanze stets zu kennen. Radaraufnahmen sind besonders gut geeignet, flächendeckende Beobachtungen durchzuführen – per Flugzeug oder per Satellit.

TerraSAR-X image shows spread of lava at Bardarbunga

16 September 2014
The lava outflow on the Holuhraun field northeast of Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano continues unabated. The lava field has grown to cover an area greater than 25 square kilometres. In this satellite image, the extent of the lava field is revealed using different colours.

Sentinel-1 poised to monitor motion

26 August 2014
Although it was only launched a few months ago and is still being commissioned, the new Sentinel-1A radar satellite has already shown that it can be used to generate 3D models of Earth’s surface and will be able to closely monitor land and ice surface deformation. The Microwaves and Radar Institute has been involved in the computation of the first Sentinel-1A interferograms in the new interferometric wide swath (IW) mode, providing in this way support to ESA.

Radar images for agriculture applications

19 August 2014
PRESS ARTICLE, IN GERMAN: Osterhofener Zeitung, Lokalteil der Passauer Neuen Presse zur diesjährigen Flugkampagne Wallerfing: "Neusling. Einmal in der Woche ist über dem kleinen Ort Neusling ein tiefes Wummern zu hören. Zu sehen ist die Turbopropmaschine, eine weiße DO 228 mit roter Heckflosse, auf ihrem Flug in 3000 Meter Höhe aber nur ganz klein. An Bord: Präzisionssensoren für Geländeaufnahmen im Mikrowellenbereich. Diese Radaraufnahmen sind Teil eines Forschungsprojekts, bei dem zum Vergleich Feuchtigkeit und Rauhigkeit des Bodens sowie Wachstumsstadium und Struktur der Pflanzen bestimmt werden. Ziel ist es, später alleine anhand von Radaraufnahmen bei kilometerweiten Feldern entscheiden zu können, ob zum Beispiel der Boden bewässert werden muss ..."

TanDEM-X sees rice growing

14 August 2014
Can the height of a rice plant be measured from space? TanDEM-X, a DLR mission designed to generate high accuracy global elevation models, has been shown to be capable of doing just that.

Traces of humankind – settlement patterns seen from space

25 June 2014
The sometimes bold, other times delicate lines in the images that scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have created using data acquired by the German radar satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X resemble Chinese ink drawings. In truth, though, the black and white maps taken from an altitude of over 500 kilometres show the world's cities, villages and groups of houses wiggling along the course of rivers, following the lines of roads and rail tracks or spreading out into the arable countryside.

DLR at ILA 2014: The satellite missions TanDEM-X and Tandem-L

26 May 2014
From 20-25 May 2014, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) presented research topics and projects at ILA International Air Show Berlin, amongst others also the satellite missions TanDEM-X and Tandem-L. Professor Alberto Moreira summarizes the highlights of radar remote sensing in an interview in the following video.

A new map of Earth – in 3D and extremely precise

19 May 2014
This ambitious project started on 21 June 2010, when the radar satellite TanDEM-X set off into space to join its twin satellite, TerraSAR-X. Since then, these two German satellites have been orbiting Earth in an intricate formation and mapping its surface. Now, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) is making the first elevation models of a new global topography for scientific use.

EUSAR 2014: Prelimary Program consolidated, proceedings in preparation

28 April 2014
The EUSAR 2014 conference takes place at the very heart of Berlin near Brandenburg Gate from June 03 - June 05, 2014. For those interested there will also be tutorials on latest SAR technologies prior to the conference on Monday, April 02, 2014 and, additionally, the conference is accompanied by the 2014 CEOS SAR Workshop on Calibration and Validation on Friday June 06, 2014. The EUSAR 2014 Technical Program is now consolidated, available online and its conference proceedings are prepared presently. Early bird fees for a EUSAR 2014 registration are available until April 30. Please refer to www.eusar.de for more information.

First radar images: ESA’s new Sentinel-1A satellite

16 April 2014
Launched on 3 April, ESA’s Sentinel-1A satellite has already delivered its first radar images. The HR Institute has been member of the industrial consortium for the space segment with the responsibility for the calibration concept and algorithms. It is now involved in the commissioning phase of Sentinel-1 in the scope of an ESA contract for the calibration of the radar instrument and with another study for the demonstration of TOPS interferometry.

DLR Magazine: World atlas – 'made in space'

25 March 2014
In June 2007, the TerraSAR-X radar satellite was launched. It entered Earth orbit, where it flew ‘solo’ for three years until June 2010, when its twin, TanDEM-X, followed it into space. With their radar antennas pointed at Earth, they are on a mission to generate a three-dimensional elevation model of our planet. Now that the first elevation models are available for users, a true milestone has been reached on the journey towards a highly precise, three-dimensional world atlas ‘made in space’.

Fastest glacier in Greenland – DLR satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X identify speed record

04 February 2014
Since the 1990s, Jakobshavn Isbræ has been regarded as the fastest moving glacier in Greenland. According to studies carried out by researchers from the University of Washington and the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), its speed is now increasing dramatically, with record figures for 2012 and 2013. High spatial and temporal resolution data acquired by the German radar satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X enabled very precise calculations of its speed. The results of the study will be released in the print version of 'The Cryosphere', an international scientific journal of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), on 7 February 2014.

TerraSAR-X data support the rescue of "Akademik Shokalskiy" in brash ice

09 January 2014
AVAILABLE IN GERMAN: Zehn Tage saßen 74 Wissenschaftler und Touristen an Bord des russischen Forschungsschiffs "Akademik Shokalskiy" in der Antarktis fest. Starker Wind hatte Eisschollen in eine Bucht getrieben und das Schiff blockiert. Hochauflösende Satellitendaten des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft-und Raumfahrt (DLR) halfen bei der Beurteilung der Eissituation vor Ort. Die Verhältnisse können sich im Packeis durch drehende Winde schnell verändern. Deshalb nutzen DLR-Wissenschaftler aus dem Earth Oberservation Center (EOC) aktuelle hochauflösende Aufnahmen des Erdbeoachtungssatelliten TerraSAR-X, um der Schiffsbesatzung des Forschungsschiffs aktuelle Informationen über die Eisverhältnisse zu liefern. Der deutsche Radarsatellit wird in verschiedenen Modi betrieben, um Aufnahmen mit unterschiedlichen Streifenbreiten, Auflösungen und Polarisationen zu ermöglichen.

TerraSAR-X image of the month – Coral Atoll Kiritimati

16 Dezember 2013
AVAILABLE IN GERMAN: Paris ist verlassen, in Polen leben 235 Menschen, und London hat immerhin 1829 Einwohner. Auf dem Atoll Kiritimati ist vieles anders - und so werden aus europäischen Großstädten oder Ländern winzige Orte. Der abgelegenen Insel im Pazifik, auf der Seefahrer James Cook mit seiner Mannschaft 1777 Weihnachten feierte, steht das Wasser buchstäblich bis zum Hals. Das Korallen-Atoll hat zwar 321 Quadratkilometer Landfläche - aber auch 324 Quadratkilometer Lagunenfläche. Treffen die bisherigen Schätzungen zu, könnte der Inselstaat Kiribati mitsamt der Insel Kiritimati etwa im Jahr 2070 aufgrund des Klimawandels und des Anstiegs des Meeresspiegels im Pazifik versinken. Für den Radarsatelliten TerraSAR-X des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) sieht das Atoll aus über 500 Kilometern Höhe wie eine poröse, zerbrechliche Struktur aus.

+++ The winner of DLR_Science_Slam 2013 is: Team REMOTE SENSING +++

06 December 2013
As last year, the final of this year's DLR_Science_Slam took place at the evening event of DLR's annual general assembly, held yesterday on 05 December 2013 in Göttingen and DLR colleagues could join the event via a live video broadcast. Two teams reached the final: TEAM SOLAR: Christoph Prahl and Christoph Hilgert (Institute for Solar Research, Almeria in Spain) and TEAM REMOTE SENSING: Michele Martone, Maria Tello Alonso (both Microwaves and Radarinstitute, Oberpfaffenhofen), Daniele Cerra, Claas Hendrik Grohnfeldt, Aliaksei Makarau, Kevin Alonso Gonzalez (each Remote Sensing Technology Institute, Oberpfaffenhofen). The voting of a jury, the hall audience and those connected via internet and mobil phones after both presentations resulted in a "The winner is: TEAM REMOTE SENSING!!!" Cordially congratulations to both teams! Watch (DLR internally) both contributions here: http://intern.dlr.de/slam2013.