Radar Cluster for Earth Remote Sensing (RaCERS) will deliver ‘swarms’ of cooperating smallsats that orbit in tight formation, simultaneously deploying use of altimetry, scatterometry and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Respectively, these will collect information relating to height, structures on the surface, and provide radar imaging, piecing together a highly accurate profile of Earth.
Birmingham University’s Professor Marco Martorella, from Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, is working with partners GeoOptics Switzerland, Tyvak International, National Interuniversity Center for Telecommunications, Pisa, and the Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich on the project. Professor Martorella, who is Chair in Radio Frequency and Space Sensing at the Birmingham, is working as an academic consultant, sharing his expertise in radar systems, sensing and signal processing to co-develop the advanced instrumentation needed for small satellites.
“Spaceborne radar is central to Earth environmental monitoring and forecasting, and the constellations of RaCERS satellites, flying in a tightly orchestrated formation will deliver more accurate measurements than conventional, single satellites enabling more accurate determination of severe weather, soil moisture, surface winds, ocean circulation, and much more,” said Professor Martorella.
According to the researchers, radar has multiple benefits over visual imaging for the types of measurements RaCERS is chasing. Unlike visual spectrum cameras, radar can sense during day or night and is not interrupted by cloud cover, meaning it can deliver a continuous feed of highly accurate data about the surface of oceans, ice and land.
The feasibility study, which will involve developing bespoke equipment that pushes the boundaries of radar equipment and constellation flying, has now started. The second stage of the project would be funded by the European Space Agency. Delivery is expected by 2029.
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