Dear Editor,The spaceborne synthetic aperture radar(SAR)has revolutionized Earth observation by providing unparalleled all-weather,day-and-night imaging capabilities.Unlike optical systems,SAR utilizes microwave signa...Dear Editor,The spaceborne synthetic aperture radar(SAR)has revolutionized Earth observation by providing unparalleled all-weather,day-and-night imaging capabilities.Unlike optical systems,SAR utilizes microwave signals to penetrate clouds and darkness,making it indispensable for monitoring dynamic Earth processes such as land deformation,vegetation cover,oceanic dynamics,and polar changes.1 Since the pioneering SEASAT mission in 1978,2 spaceborne SAR technology has evolved dramatically,with advancements in resolution,coverage,and operational versatility.Today,a new era of SAR innovation is being driven by commercial small satellites like Capella and ICEYE constellations,3 which offer sub-meter resolution,hourly revisit frequencies,and rapid response capabilities.Against this backdrop,the Haishao-1(HS-1)satellite(meaning“sea whistle”in English),launched on December 4,2024,carrying an X-band(9.6 GHz)SAR payload and a nightlight camera,represents a groundbreaking achievement in China’s spaceborne SAR development.展开更多
基金supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(42025605)the Hainan Province Aerospace Science and Technology Innovation Project(ATIC-IT-202401)+1 种基金the Hainan Provincial Science and Technology Talent Innovation Project under grant KJRC2023B12the Hainan Provincial Excellent Talent Team Project(space observation of deep sea).
文摘Dear Editor,The spaceborne synthetic aperture radar(SAR)has revolutionized Earth observation by providing unparalleled all-weather,day-and-night imaging capabilities.Unlike optical systems,SAR utilizes microwave signals to penetrate clouds and darkness,making it indispensable for monitoring dynamic Earth processes such as land deformation,vegetation cover,oceanic dynamics,and polar changes.1 Since the pioneering SEASAT mission in 1978,2 spaceborne SAR technology has evolved dramatically,with advancements in resolution,coverage,and operational versatility.Today,a new era of SAR innovation is being driven by commercial small satellites like Capella and ICEYE constellations,3 which offer sub-meter resolution,hourly revisit frequencies,and rapid response capabilities.Against this backdrop,the Haishao-1(HS-1)satellite(meaning“sea whistle”in English),launched on December 4,2024,carrying an X-band(9.6 GHz)SAR payload and a nightlight camera,represents a groundbreaking achievement in China’s spaceborne SAR development.
