The satellite travels around the Earth in a polar orbit. This enables it to use its active antenna to take new and high-precision X-band radar images of the entire planet. TerraSAR-X operates independently of weather conditions, cloud cover and daylight hours and is capable of supplying radar data with a resolution of down to one metre per pixel.
Launched on June 15, 2007, and now celebrating two years of successful operations, TerraSAR-X has gone on to have a unique and highly successful track record. In contrast to optical systems, the radar technology on this satellite enables it to record images through cloud and at night, meaning that it is able to operate continuously around the clock. TerraSAR-X is Germany's first radar satellite and is, at the same time, the first nationally operated remote sensing satellite, brought into being by a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and Friedrichshafen-based Astrium GmbH. DLR is responsible for planning and carrying out the mission, for controlling the satellite and the radar instrument, and for the scientific use of TerraSAR-X data.
After its launch from the Russian space station at Baikonur, DLR was able to unveil the first TerraSAR-X imagery within just four days. Following this, full commissioning of the satellite and its radar instrument was completed on schedule. This meant that TerraSAR-X was able to commence operational service in early 2008. Since that time, the mission has been characterised by seamless operational performance and production output, in particular with its unique images, which have been employed in a range of scientific and commercial contexts. DLR is responsible for the scientific use of TerraSAR-X data, for the planning and execution of the mission and for control of the satellite. Astrium built the satellite, and shared the costs of development and operation. Infoterra GmbH, a subsidiary company of Astrium founded specifically for this project, is responsible for the commercial marketing of TerraSAR-X data.