RadSTAR L-band imaging scatterometer- performance assessment

The L-band Imaging Scatterometer (LIS), developed at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center as part of the RadSTAR initiative, is an airborne imaging radar that combines phased array technology and digital beam forming techniques for the measurement of important scientific parameters. The instrument operates at 1.26 GHz, horizontal polarization, and employs a real-time processor capable of synthesizing multiple beams over a scan range of +/−50 degrees. LIS was flight tested in May 2006 and in January 2007 on board of the NASA P3 aircraft over the Delmarva Peninsula, VA. In this paper we describe the RadSTAR system and present some preliminary analysis of the radar data collected during the test flights.