The radar SAIL and other short vertical antenna space SAR concepts

Abstract

Radar SAIL (Aguttes et al., and Aguttes) is a SAR satellite concept invented by CNES, based on a short (<5 m, along speed vector) vertical antenna placed in the orbit plane. This surprising vertical geometry has been proven to work properly for radar while enabling a cascade of other innovations converging into a radically new design of the whole satellite for an ultimate goal of simplification and cost reduction. This paper focuses on the antenna geometry and unveils new advantages which generalise the utilisation range and reinforce the merits of the SAIL concept but also justify the implementation of such antenna on a standard bus, at least for moderate antenna size.