TerraSAR-X

TerraSAR-X
A rendering of the satellites TerraSar-X and TanDEM-X flying over Europe
Mission typeRadar imaging
OperatorDLR
COSPAR ID2007-026A
SATCAT no.31698
Mission durationElapsed: 18 years, 2 days
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerEADS Astrium
Launch mass1,230 kg (2,710 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date15 June 2007, 02:14 (2007-06-15UTC02:14Z) UTC
RocketDnepr
Launch siteBaikonur 109/95
ContractorISC Kosmotras
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Semi-major axis6,886.39 kilometres (4,279.00 mi)
Eccentricity0.0001445
Perigee altitude514 kilometres (319 mi)
Apogee altitude516 kilometres (321 mi)
Inclination97.44 degrees
Period94.79 minutes
Epoch25 January 2015, 02:35:23 UTC

TerraSAR-X is an imaging radar Earth observation satellite, a joint venture being carried out under a public-private-partnership between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and EADS Astrium. The exclusive commercial exploitation rights are held by the geo-information service provider Astrium. TerraSAR-X was launched on 15 June 2007 and has been in operational service since January 2008. With its twin satellite TanDEM-X, launched 21 June 2010, TerraSAR-X acquires the data basis for the WorldDEM, the worldwide and homogeneous DEM available from 2014.