Space Panoramic Radio Altimeter Model: Imaging of the Developing Tsunami Wave Field in a Bistatic Quasi-Mirror Radar

A model of the formation gradient sea-level field by space bi-static radar measurements is developed. An interferometer with cross-sectional base used as a receiver. The relatively small antenna 5–10 m gives huge gain in energy when working for quasi-mirror scattering range short wind waves. efficiency system evaluated converting dynamical tsunami wave evolution case Kuril earthquake (October 4, 1994) into panoramic image sea level. front allows predicting direction, amplitude and, finally, expected time arrival to given point. obtained confirms main feature method: fluctuation-level sensitivity varies within swath (~2000 km) and worst near mirror For chosen parameters, average ~5 cm site (15 × 15) km. Without accounting required transmit information from receiver tsunami–prone sites, minimal interval between appearance alert determined number sequentially launched tandem spacecrafts. single this about 45 min.