Atmospheric limitations to repeat‐track radar interferometry

Abstract

In its recent radar imaging mission, the Shuttle Imaging Radar satellite (SIR‐C) devoted three days to repeat‐track interferometry. We have analyzed the data from a test site in the Mojave desert of California. Although good topography (±10 m on 21 m postings) was obtained, most of the error was caused by turbulent water vapor in the lower atmosphere. Spatial structure of 6 km and all smaller sizes was observed. The RMS, one‐way time delay was found to be 0.24 cm. Essentially identical results were obtained at two wavelengths, 24 and 5.7 cm.