Calibration of the SHARAD Instrument

Abstract

The Mars Shallow Radar Sounder (SHARAD) is an HF (20 MHz) Sounding Radar embarked onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft. SHARAD on-ground calibration activities have been limited to the characterization of the SEB (SHARAD Electronic Box), not having been possible to perform extensive characterization of the flight antenna nor end- to-end calibrations on ground. Scope of the present document is to define the activities to be carried out in-flight in order to ensure SHARAD products calibration. The calibration needs are assessed and an overall calibration strategy is then defined, leading to the identification of the data sets to be collected and relevant processing to be applied. The document also address how to exploit the available calibration data (from both on- ground and in-flight calibration) to correct SHARAD products, and the organization of the calibration database.