Table 1.
Comparison between SAR payload characteristics of Gaofen-3 and Sentinel-1.
| S. no. | Parameter | Gaofen-3 | Sentinel-1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Orbit | Sun-synchronous orbit | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| 2. | Orbit altitude | 755 km | 693 km |
| 3. | Frequency band | C-band | C-band |
| 4. | Center frequency | 5.4 GHz | 5.4 GHz |
| 5. | Peak power | 1.5 kW | 4.7 kW |
| 6. | Incidence angle | 10°–60° | 20°–45° |
| 7. | Antenna size | 15 m × 1.5 m | 12.3 m × 0.84 m |
| 8. | Signal bandwidth | 0–240 MHz | 0–100 MHz |
| 9. | Polarization | Single/Dual/Full | Single/Dual |
| 10. | Antenna system | Waveguide slot | Waveguide crack |
| 11. | Angle of elevation | ± 20° | ± 11° |
| 12. | Imaging modes | 12 | 4 |
| 13. | Spatial resolution | 1–500 m | 5–20 m |
| 14. | Swath width | 10–650 km | 20–400 km |
| 15. | Design life of S/C | 8 years | 7.25 years |