Map-Making TanDEM-X Satellite Returns First Images, Showing Fine Detail of Earth's Surface
TanDEM-X Madagascar Charting the ups and downs of waves in the Indian Ocean, represented by the pale yellow area, is one example of the TanDEM-X satellite's capabilities. This picture shows northern Madagascar. The water in Diego Suarez Bay (the blue area) is calmer, so it reflects the TanDEM-X's radar signals more uniformly. DLR The super-accurate Earth-mapping satellite TanDEM-X has beamed back its first images, and they're detailed enough to show waves breaking in the Indian Ocean. The German satellite is in excellent health and ready to team up with the TerraSAR-X satellite to create the most precise world maps ever made, BBC reports. TanDEM-X's first images show the runways at Moscow's airport; a cubist-looking grid of forests and fields in Ukraine; and the difference between choppy and calm waters off Madagascar. The spacecraft is flying over Earth at roughly 4 miles per second, and will join its partner satellite in...