A study for COSMO-SkyMed SAR multi-beam of second generation (MSAR-2G)

This paper discusses the potentialities obtained by splitting the antenna of the COSMO-SkyMed SAR - developed by Alenia Spazio under contract of Italian Space Agency and Italian Ministry of Defence - into multiple sub-apertures. The modified sensor is shown to allow: (a) clutter cancellation and detection of slowly moving ground targets for surveillance purpose, (b) sea current/wave monitoring by along-track SAR interferometry, (c) relocation of moving targets in high resolution SAR images, and (c) fully polarimetric imaging. The practical implementation of the possible modification is also discussed together with the new operational modes design.