TanDEM X Band

Free

Provider: DLR (German Aerospace Center)
Satellite Constellation: TerraSAR-X & TanDEM-X (twin satellites flying in formation)
Mission Period: 2010–2015 (main acquisition for global DEM)

Specification

Coverage Area Global (up to ±60° latitude, including high-mountain and polar regions)

Spatial Resolution ~3 arc-second (90 m post spacing)  global standard DEM

Optional Resolutions 3 m, 12 m, and 30 m (customized products available via request)

Vertical Accuracy ≤2 m (relative), ≤10 m (absolute, 90% confidence level)

Horizontal Datum WGS 84 (EPSG:4326)

Vertical Datum Mean Sea Level (MSL), based on EGM96

File Format GeoTIFF, DTED, or other formats upon request

Tile Size Typically 1° x 1°, depending on product type

Elevation Units Meters above sea level

Data Type 16-bit or 32-bit float (based on product)

Sensor Type X-band SAR Interferometry (3.1 cm wavelength)

Acquisition Method Bi-static InSAR (two satellites imaging the same ground simultaneously)

Data Voids Minimal; extremely high completeness rate due to repeat coverage

Data Licensing Commercial product (available via Airbus Defence and Space)