SIR-C: Spaceborne Radar Imagery from 1994 Shuttle Missions

Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) data was collected during two Space Shuttle flights in April and October 1994. The USGS distributes C-band and L-band data, while DLR distributes X-band data. The dataset includes several product types, such as Survey Data for quick-look browsing and high-resolution Precision Data for analysis.

Use Cases

• Land surface change detection based on multitemporal interferometry data.
• Terrain and feature analysis using high-resolution multifrequency and multipolarization precision data.
• Generating interferograms for topographic mapping from repeat-pass radar imagery.
• Broad area survey and scene identification using lower-resolution survey data strips.

Strengths

• Data was collected during two dedicated Space Shuttle missions in 1994, providing a controlled acquisition period.
• Includes multiple product levels, from 100-meter resolution survey data to high-resolution 12.5- or 25-meter pixel spacing multi-look complex data.
• Offers multifrequency (C-band, L-band) and multipolarization data for detailed analysis.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The data is from 1994; its freshness for contemporary applications should be verified.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected by an imaging radar system flown on board Space Shuttle flights.

Time Range

9-20 April 1994 and 30 September - 11 October 1994

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-05 19:59:02.554044; freshness should be verified

Geography

Global coverage of areas imaged by the SIR-C system.