 NASA radar | |
| Mission type | Earth science |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA · JPL |
| Website | jpl.nasa.gov/missions/spaceborne-imaging-radar-c-x-band-synthetic-aperture-radar-sir-c-x-sar/ |
| Mission duration | Two trips, 11 days each |
| Manufacturer | JPL |
| Launch date | 9 April 1994 and 30 September 1994 |
| Rocket | STS-59 and STS-68 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral |
The Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR) – full name 'Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR)', is a which flew on two separate shuttle missions. Once from the in April 1994 on () and again in October 1994 on (). The radar was run by NASA's Space Radar Laboratory. SIR utilizes 3 radar frequencies: (24 cm ), (6 cm) and (3 cm), allowing for study of geology, hydrology, ecology and oceanography. Comparing radar images to data collected by teams of people on the ground as well as aircraft and ships using simultaneous measurements of vegetation, soil moisture, sea state, snow and weather conditions during each flight. The imaging radar was able to take images anytime regardless of clouds cover. The Radar-C system was built and operated by (JPL). The mission was a joint work of NASA with the and space agencies. Each of the week long mission scanned about 50 million square kilometers of the Earth's surface, (19.3 million square miles).
