Innovative Technology for Generating Digital Terrain Elevation Data Level 2 (DTED-2) Above 60 degrees N

"Vexcel Corporation proposes to address challenge of providing DTED-2 elevation data in the "north of sixty" latitude region of the earth using civilian spaceborne synthetic aperture radar. SAR data is well suited to complement the already collectedShuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) data and does not suffer from weather conditions that limit conventional EO systems. Based on prior work, and knowledge of the SRTM processing approach, we feel that civilian SAR data can produce the desiredproducts from civilian SAR sources. Under this SBIR we will determine the inherent accuracy possible using archived ERS Tandem data and compare this to the accuracy possible from new data acquisitions from future systems and missions. This analysis willinclude consideration of new and innovative approaches for combing data for improving accuracy and reducing the need for ground control. We will demonstrate the performance over two NIMA test site. Development of new technology for improved mapping ofelevation will benefit Vexcel in several areas. The first will be in its ability to serve a growing government demand for such information. The second will be in its ability to bring similar products to the private and civilian sector using existing andfuture SAR sensors. Vexcel will be in a much improved competitive situation with respect to these two areas given a successful SBIR program. Furthermore, we feel that a program for carrying out