What altitudes will you receive the highest quality Strip SAR Imagery?

• A. Between 5,000 and 15,000 ft
• B. Between 10,000 and 30,000 ft
• C. Between 20,000 and 40,000 ft
• D. Between 0 and 5,000 ft

Answer: (B)

Stripmap SAR image quality hinges on balancing swath width with ground sampling and the geometric distortions that come from the viewing geometry. If you fly too low, the radar looks at the ground with very steep angles, which exaggerates layover, foreshortening, and shadows on tall features and narrows the usable area you can image clearly. If you fly too high, the radar footprint grows and each pixel covers more ground, so detail and sharpness suffer even though you cover more area. The highest quality comes from a middle-ground altitude where the look angle is moderate, you get a useful swath without severe distortions, and you preserve good ground resolution and overall detail.