E. CONCLUSIONS 



It is concluded that: 



(1) Within technical and operational parameters presently set, it is 

 possible to design a SAR system for operational use on a 

 satellite that will meet the major applications requirements for 

 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources and Sea Ice Teams; 

 marginally for the Oceans Team, 



(2) All study teams stress the high quality processing and efficient 

 distribution of acquired data as an essential part of the SAR- 

 equipped satellite operational program. 



(3) Study teams emphasize the need for a secondary sensor on the 

 satellite. Requirements are evenly split between the four teams 

 — Land Resources Team favour a VIR scanner; Ice/Oceans Teams 

 consider a passive microwave radiometer and/or a scatterometer to 

 be essential. 



The choice of sensor type may depend on a further cost-benefit 

 study or on technical feasibility. 



F. RECOMMENDATIONS 



It is recommended that: 



(1) SAR parameters identified as "optimal" in Table 9 to this 

 document be considered as firm basic requirements at this phase 

 of the program. 



(2) Within the Mission Requirements Program, data acquisition, image 

 processing, and analysis continue as planned. Commencing in 

 March 1982, monthly meetings will convene and team leaders will 

 present in writing to satellite/SAR design authorities the 

 findings and conclusions that support or modify existing 

 parameter values. 



(3) There should commence immediately the production and examination 

 of a set of images having their technical specifications, i.e., 

 signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, etc., altered by known 

 amounts. Study and comparison of such images will assist team 

 members and users in general to understand factors affecting 

 image quality and enable them to quantify their stated 

 requirements. 



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