11/5/2014 What is SRTM?

http://iss.jaxa.jp/shuttle/flight/sts99/mis_srtm_e.html 1/4
SRTM coverage

What is SRTM?
Summary Main Equipment of SRTM
Summary
SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) is
mounted on a Space Shuttle and obtains Earth
surface data by remote sensing technology
utilizing a synthetic aperture radar. Obtained
data will be converted into height data called a
Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and will be
utilized to generate a more precise three-
dimensional map of larger observation area of
the Earth than has ever been possible.
During its 11-day flight, it will obtain data covering 80% of the Earth's surface (excluding north and
south poles), and 95% of its residential area.
The high-resolution,digital,three-dimensional topographic map produced from this data will be
disclosed to the general public in the hope that it will be used in various fields. Potential applications
include regional weather forecasting that takes account of topography,obtaining an accurate
understanding of the distribution of forests in mountains, safe navigation of aircraft,and determining
line-of-sight areas in wireless communications.
1. The third Space Radar Experiment
SRTM is a Space Radar Lab (SRL) experiment payload promoted by NASA.
Following the flights of STS-59 (SRL-1) and STS-68 (SRL-2) launched in 1994, STS-99 will
be the third flight (SRL-3). Since SRL-3 uses an outboard antenna mounted at the end of the
60m extended mast, which was not used in SRL-1 and 2, it will obtain higher quality data,
which will be utilized to generate three-dimensional images of the Earth.
2. International Project
SRTM is an international mission in which the organizations below participate;
NASA JPL
Performs SIR-C system development, operation, and total project management.
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Performs X-SAR development, operation, and management.
Italian Space Agency (ASI)
In cooperation with DLR, ASI participates in X-SAR development, operation, and management.
3. Characteristics of SRTM
In order to generate a three-dimensional map, it is necessary to collect data from two
viewpoints. As shown in the illustration, two antennas, the main antenna mounted in the cargo
bay of the Shuttle and another one mounted at the end of the 60m extended mast on the port
within ISS within JAXA
Search
11/5/2014 What is SRTM?
http://iss.jaxa.jp/shuttle/flight/sts99/mis_srtm_e.html 2/4
bay of the Shuttle and another one mounted at the end of the 60m extended mast on the port
side of the cargo bay, will be used. The observation data of these two viewpoints and a
technique called interferometry will be used to generate three-dimensional images such as
shown below. This is one of the features of SRTM.
Another feature is the ability to extend the mast up to 60m on orbit. This mast was developed
based on the mast that will be used to deploy solar panels of the International Space
Station(ISS). However, the mast for SRTM is twice as long. This mast will be the longest
structure ever deployed in space.
While data is being collected, the antenna mounted at the end of the 60m mast must be
properly positioned within several millimeters, which requires highly advanced techniques.
Also, as many photographs as possible will be taken by the camera during this flight. These
photographs will then be compared with radar images.
Antenna being deployed NASA/JPL/Caltec
Sample of three-dimensional image
by STS-59 and 68
Main Equipment of SRTM
As shown below, SRTM is composed of the main and outboard antennas of SIR-C/X-SAR which
uses two frequency bands, Attitude & Orbit Determination Avionics (AODA; electronic equipment
used to determine attitude and orbit), a mast that extends 60m from the shuttle, and a canister to store
the mast, and a structure to support all the equipment.
Main antenna
This is a 12 m-long,4 m-wide
transmitting and receiving SIR-C/X-SAR
antenna.It is mounted on the support
structure in the shuttle cargo bay.
Outboard antenna
This is a receiving-only SIR-C/X-SAR
antenna and is mounted 60 m from the
port side of the shuttle.
During the launch, the outboard
antenna is stored in the cargo bay of the
Shuttle; it will be deployed at the end of
the 60m mast before observation starts.
Attitude &Orbit Determination
Avionics (AODA)
In order to perform data processing for
creating a high-resolution,three-
11/5/2014 What is SRTM?
http://iss.jaxa.jp/shuttle/flight/sts99/mis_srtm_e.html 3/4
AEC-Able Engineering Compay, inc.
Canister
NASA/JPL/Caltec
Main Antenna
NASA/JPL/Caltec
Outboard Antenna
Model of mast
AEC-Able Engineering Compay, inc.
Exterior of Mast (three bays)
AEC-Able Engineering Compay, inc.
Mast in fully extended state
creating a high-resolution,three-
dimensional topographic map,it is
necessary to obtain extremely accurate
information concerning errors in the
position and attitude of the antenna
during measurement. This information is
measured using the AODA
system,which consists of highly
accurate sensors including a GPS
receiver, equipment for measuring the
distance between the main antenna and
the outboard antenna,and an optical
sensor that uses a light emitting
diode.These devices are controlled and
monitored by the crew in the
shuttle,using an AODA processing
computer (APC).
Mast
This mast extends 60 m from the port
side of the shuttle and supports the 300
kg outboard antenna at its end.
During launch and return to Earth,the
mast is folded to about 1/20th of the
fully extended length.The mast
comprises some 87 cubic bays,each of
which consists of support columns
made of high-strength compound
material, metal wires,joints,and so on.
This mast was developed by the US
AEC-Able Engineering Company
Inc.,utilizing the technology that it
developed for the mast deploying the
solar array wings used in the
International Space Station.
Such a long mast has never been used in space. Whether SRTM program will be successful or not will
strictly depend on extending and retracting this mast.
Canister
The canister houses the mast during launch and return to Earth.It is
1.4 m in diameter and 2.9 m long.The mast is
extended and retracted by a motor installed inside the canister.
Payload High Rate Recorder (PHRR)and Recorder Interface
Controller (RIC)
The shuttle has six PHRRs,and two RICs that control the PHRRs on
board.Three PHRRs record data during
observation,and remaining three are in reserve.RIC is a laptop
computer:One RIC is always used to control the
PHRRs,and the other is spare.
It will take one year to one year and half after the shuttle returns to
Earth to process the extremely large amount of data (9.8
terabytes;one CD contains 650 megabytes,so this amount is
equivalent to 15,000 CDs)that will be acquired.
Major specification of SIR-C/X-SAR
item
SIR-C
Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C
X-SAR
X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar
11/5/2014 What is SRTM?
http://iss.jaxa.jp/shuttle/flight/sts99/mis_srtm_e.html 4/4
Size
Main antenna 12.0m X 3.5m 12.0m X 0.5m
Outboard antenna 8.1m X 0.9m 6m X 0.4m
Frequency 5.3GHz 9.6GHz
Wavelength 5.8cm 3.1cm
Resolution
Horizontal 30m 30m
Vertical 16m 16m
Altitude 233km 233km
Swath width
225km
*
2
50km
Polarization
*
1
HH,HV,VH,VV VV
Off nadir
23 - 63 degree
*
2
52 degree
*
1FHH (Horizontal transmit,Horizontal receive)
HV (Horizontal transmit,Vertical receive)
VH (Vertical transmit,Horizontal receive)
VV (Vertical transmit,Vertical receive)
*
2FSIR-C is designed with Scan SAR.The beam can be electronically steered.
Last Updated : September 1, 1999
HOME
| ISS & "Kibo" | Space Environment Utilization | Space Medicine |
| NASDA's Astronauts | Space Shuttle Missions | SSIPC |
| Gallery | Link to other Sites |