avsar

AVSAR, short for Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar, is a radar payload designed for airborne remote sensing to acquire high-resolution radar imagery from aircraft. It is used to support a range of Earth science applications, including mapping, surface deformation monitoring, and assessments of vegetation structure. AVSAR data enable interferometric SAR (InSAR) and polarimetric SAR analyses, providing measurements of ground displacement, topography, and surface properties under conditions where optical sensors may be limited.

The instrument is designed for flexibility and portability on research aircraft, with modular components that allow reconfiguration for different mission objectives. Data collection typically involves carefully planned flight lines and accompanying metadata to ensure accurate geolocation and calibration. AVSAR supports multiple imaging modes and polarimetric capabilities, facilitating a variety of data products from fine-resolution imagery to interferometric phase information.

Applications of AVSAR span geohazard research and environmental monitoring. Researchers use its data to study earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, ice dynamics, and forest structure. The airborne platform provides rapid, on-demand data over targeted areas, offering higher temporal resolution and flexible coverage that complements spaceborne SAR missions.

Access and dissemination of AVSAR data are generally coordinated through project archives and research repositories, supporting open data policies and collaboration within the scientific community. AVSAR remains a key tool for advancing radar remote sensing techniques and for acquiring situationally relevant radar observations in diverse environments.