ESA’s Sentinel-1A satellite ws launched on 3 April carrying an advanced radar instrument system able to generate images of the Earth’s surface regardless of weather or time of day. It reached operational orbit on 7 August 2014 and began generating “interferograms” mapping the topography of Italy and Norway.
Data collected by Sentinel-1A has been used to generate 3D models using a technique known as Synthetic aperture radar interferometry or InSAR which combines two or more satellite radar images taken of the same area. Products elaborated from this technique include digital elevation models and other products used to monitor surface deformations either natural or manmade.
“I’m delighted to see these first interferograms, demonstrating the excellent capabilities of Sentinel-1A’s radar instrument. They certainly show the satellite’s outstanding performance in synthetic aperture radar interferometry with its large 250 km-swath”, said Ramón Torres ESA’s Sentinel-1 Project Manager.
