Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar (SESAR)

The Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar is a new radar instrument development for planetary applications that will enable unprecedented surface and near-subsurface measurements of planetary bodies including the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. The radar is based on an advanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) architecture that operates in the P-band (70 cm wavelength), measures full polarimetry at meter scale resolution, and achieves beam agility through programmable digital beamforming. The radar is based on a low power, lightweight, modular design approach specifically developed to meet stringent launch and operation requirements of planetary instruments. Prototype SESAR subsystems have been developed and tested, and a recent MATISSE (Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration) proposal was awarded to build and test a functional radar panel.