Active Sensor Information for Radio Astronomers

Here you will find information on active sensors for radio astronomers in order to help protect radio astronomy receivers from damaging interference.

​EarthCARE Information

ESA and IUCAF signed a Coordination Agreement “on the mutual planning procedure for EESS (active) cloud profile radar operations with radio astronomy service observations in the band 94-94.1 GHz between EARTHCARE and IUCAF”. 

In the context of this agreement an​​d of Resolution SFCG 24-2 EarthCARE orbital information (link) is provided to facilitate coordination with RAS sites. 

Note: EarthCARE’s launch is currently planned for Q2 2024. After launch, the orbital information will be updated regularly.

ITU Database Information

The International Telecommunications Union – Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R) maintains a database of all space systems (i.e., satellites) registered with the ITU. The Space Network Systems (SNS) database contains all technical information available in ITU filings for such systems.

CEOS Earth Observation Handbook

The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) maintains an on-line version of its Earth Observation Handbook. This Handbook contains useful information on all Earth observation satellites currently operating.

Two-Line Element Ephemeris Data

NORAD Two-Line Element (TLE) ephemeris data for Earth orbiting objects can be found here. Satellite tracking software is also available.

Active Sensors Look-Up Table (Status June 2025)

Currently Operational Spaceborne Active Sensor Missions That Could Potentially Cause Mainlobe-to-Mainlobe Damage to RAS Station Receivers (Updated: June 2025)

MissionAgencyITU Name Frequency (MHz)Bandwidth (MHz)Radiated
Power (W)		NORAD Catalog Number
ALOS-2 PALSAR-2JAXAALOS-21236.5, 1257.5, 1278.542/84.2/42.2612039766
ALOS-4 PALSAR-3JAXAALOS-41236.5, 1257.5, 1278.5 
42.2/84.2/42.2		868060182
Kondor-FKARoscosmosKondor-FKA3200200500056756
HJ-1C (SAR)CNCDR 
(CNSA)		5MS-SAR320060300038997
NISAR
S-SAR		NASA/ISRONISAR320010/25/37.5/75I37857 
RISAT-1/-2 (SAR)ISRORISAT5250-547518.75 to 75400038248/34807
Mini-RSARoscosmosMini-RSA535036.3500025544
Sentinel-1A and -1 C (2 satellites active at 180 degrees orbital separation) (SAR)ESASentinel-15405Up to 100 (mode dependent)520039634 and 62261
RADARSAT-2 (SAR)CSARADARSAT-2C 5405Up to 100 (Mode Dependent)500032382
RCM (SAR)CSARADARSAT-3C5405Up to 100 (Mode Dependent)192044322 (RCM-1)
44324 (RCM-2)
44323 (RCM-3)
COSMO-SkyMed 1/2/3/4 (SAR)ASICOSMO SKYMED960041 to 400280031598/32376/33412/
37216
TerraSAR-X SAR/ TANDEM-X SARDLRTERRASAR9650150, 300226031698/36605
GPM DPR (Precipitation Radar)JAXAGPM13597, 13603, 35547, 35553141000, 15039574
SWOTNASASWOT35750250136854754
EARTHCARE CPRESAEARTHCARE940507220059908​

This table is also available in MS-Word format​. Additional information on the Metop sensors is also available. At SFCG-31, document SF31-9DR1 on “Potential Damage to RAS Sites by EESS (active) Systems” was presented by NASA providing calculations of the power levels received vis-à-vis power levels given in Report ITU-R RA.2188. This resulted in Report SFCG 39-2R5 (Rev. 18-June-2025)​.  SFCG Memebrs operating active sensors will continue to update this information annually.  

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This page last updated on 30-June-2025 at 12:25 ET

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