An analysis of the focusing performance of Magellan SAR image data

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) focusing can be achieved either based on accurate ephemeris data or on an autofocusing process. For the Magellan project, such a decision must be made in the early phase of Magellan SAR system design. The analysis of the emphemeris requirement is complicated. The analysis given by the author leads to the conclusion that empheris data obtained from the Magellan navigation system provide sufficient accuracy to meet the Magellan image resolution requirement.