Components evaluation and status
The Wide Field component has been considered as important (a Phase B study has already been completed) but not urgent (SPOT 5 should fulfil this mission up to 2007)
The Optical High Resolution and SAR X have been put on top priority. Discussions with Italy to implement a Dual System have succeeded (see hereafter)
The Interferometric Cartwheel and Superspectral component are under study at CNES
For the other components:
- Access to foreign systems could be possible
- SAR L through ADEN (ALOS Data European Node)
- SAR C through ERS / Envisat / Radarsat
- Development through the ESA program Earth Watch (TBD)