Picture of the GLISTIN-A system as delivered.

Jakobshavn Isbrae Mosaic: Shaded Relief
May 5 and 6, 2009 - 84km x 84km area

Jakobshavn Isbrae Mosaic: Height Map 80m Wrap
May 5 and 6, 2009 - 84km x 84km area

RSS recently delivered the first high power, dual-channel, solid-state Ka-band radar system for the NASA airborne Glacier and Ice Surface Topography Interferometer (GLISTIN-A), developed for swath-mapping of ice-surface topography. Now at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the system is undergoing full integration and testing in preparation for engineering test flights this summer on a NASA Gulfstream III . This system achieves sensitivity comparable to tube-based system while occupying a fraction of the volume and achieving unparalleled phase and amplitude stability.

GLISTIN-A, is a Ka-Band (8mm wavelength) cross-track interferometric radar which interfaces to the JPL Uninhabited Synthetic Aperture Radar UAVSAR and was successfully deployed on the NASA Gulfstream III to Greenland’s ice-sheet in May 2009 (see images at right). Under the Airborne Innovative Technology Transition program, RSS, has designed and implemented a solid-state Ka-band system with enhanced performance (in excess of 10km swath expected), and compatibility with unpressurized (UAV) operation. Dr. Delwyn Moller of RSS is the Principal Investigator of this effort which is a close collaboration with JPL.

With the capability of mapping high-precision, high resolution ice-surface topography with a 10+ km swath, GLISTIN-A will provide unprecedented detailed coverage of the highly dynamic glaciers and coastal regions of the ice-sheets. Platforms of operation include the NASA GIII and, after the upgrades, the Global Hawk UAV.

Partners and Related Technologies and Missions:

• NASA JPL GLISTIN-A Page

References:

Read the RSS GLISTIN-A Announcement

[1] Moller, D.; Hensley, S.; Sadowy, G. A.; Fisher, C. D.; Michel, T.; Zawadzki, M.; Rignot, E.; , “The Glacier and Land Ice Surface Topography Interferometer: An Airborne Proof-of-Concept Demonstration of High-Precision Ka-Band Single-Pass Elevation Mapping,” Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on , vol.PP, no.99, pp.1-16, 0 doi: 10.1109/TGRS.2010.2057254

Contact RSS for more information.