Overview

Mapping covers a broad range of activities including: the creation of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), the detection and mapping of centimetre-scale movements at the Earth's surface (InSAR), and the extraction and identification of features to support environment management and security issues.

Satellite-derived data provides a synoptic view not readily obtainable from other data sources. A single image provides spatial information and multiple images provide temporal information. The flexibility of the RADARSAT-2 SAR provides the capability to image in a variety of spatial scales. As well, using the variable beam modes and the left-right looking capability of the satellite, the temporal component can be easily obtained - usually within time frames that are commensurate with the dynamic nature of the activity or region-of-interest.

RADARSAT-2 technical enhancements provide improved capabilities for mapping. These enhancements include high-resolution 3m data and multi-polarization, which improve the discrimination and recognition of surface features and targets. In addition, greater positional information and control over the RADARSAT-2 orbit garners higher absolute accuracies of end products (eg. InSAR and DEMs).