The objective of the proposed study is, through a multistatic radar configuration to enable Single-Pass interferometry capabilities with the objective of removing the residual clutter and DSM(Digital surface Model)/DEM(Digital Elevation Model) generation or Tomography for 3D reconstructionThe study aims to investigate the feasibility of a fractionated surface/sub-surface sounder (radar) configuration capable to provide new fundamental data that have not been acquired by previous remote sensing missions on Solar Systems Planet and their satellites. In particular the objective is to obtain these results taking advantage of a small array of at least three satellites deployed in an orbital formation flying for synthesizing a very large antenna aperture in a SIMO- Single Input Multiple Output configuration, where only the ?mother? master platform transmits and receives the signal , while the other satellites would work in a Rx only mode.

An investigation shall be done of the feasibility of a fractionated (multi-static) surface/sub-surface sounder configuration that fulfils the needs of the key application of interest i.e. remote sensing of the planets or moons of planets. This type of configuration allows to increase the SNR (having more than one receiver) and together with the use of advanced radar processing strategies enables the clutter removal or feature extraction. In fact the clutter can be mitigated due to the fact of having a synthesized across-pattern, since it has clearly lower sidelobe levels and main-lobe width with respect to a single platform configuration.. A clutter free acquisition together with a higher SNR guarantees a much deeper penetration depth and good ambiguity rejection. There are different payload simplifications possibilities that can be adopted and shall be analysed during the study e.g. Mirror SAR approach, according to which the ?children? satellites do not embark storage or processing means, but simply receive the backscattered echo, and then after an up-conversion (operated in analog domain) , transmit it to the ?mother? satellite. The possible frequencies to be used can vary from the VHF 20 / 45 MHz up to 2/3 GHz, clearly depending on the type of application assumed as priority First of all the selection of the frequency shall be the main driver, as it will have impact most of all on the antenna size and overall on mass and volume. Different conceptual configurations shall be traded-off shall in order to define the one(s) that guarantees the best compromise in terms of performances and needed resources. TASK lists:- Survey of state-of-the-art SIMO radar concepts for sub-surface sounding- Trade-off analysis and definition of different conceptual multi-static sounder configurations (drivers are cost, system complexity and corresponding benefits)- Selection of the best candidates for which a further refinement shall be performed - Baseline selection and relative definition of preliminary conceptual architecture and performance analysis, including the design and analysis of the various antennas.- Conclusion and possible technology development roadmap