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WorldDEM™

Reaching New Heights
WorldDEM™ - Balochistan Province, Pakistan

The WorldDEM™ is a global elevation dataset of unprecedented quality, accuracy, and coverage and will be available from 2014 for the Earth’s entire land surface - pole to pole. The accuracy of the WorldDEM™ will surpass that of any satellite-based global elevation model available today. 

Accuracy of a New Dimension - Pole-to-Pole

The WorldDEM™ is intended to be the replacement data set for SRTM and will have the following unique feature:
  • Vertical accuracy: 2m (relative) / 10m (absolute)
  • 12m x 12m raster
  • Global homogeneity
  • Highly consistent dataset thanks to data collection within 2.5 years only
  • High geometric precision of the sensors make ground control information redundant

SRTM 90

WorldDEM™

Comparison of SRTM 90 (left) and WorldDEM™ (right) data illustrating the substantial improvement in accuracy and quality of the new dataset; Location: Minnesota, USA 

WorldDEM™ Digital Elevation Model of an area in South Province, Iceland

WorldDEM™ Digital Elevation Model of an area in South Province, Iceland. This is an intermediate product.

Numerous Applications Benefiting from this New Product

Customers from private industry and public authorities alike are eagerly awaiting the WorldDEM™ as a multitude of applications benefit from this new highly precise base dataset. The WorldDEM™ will support:

  • High-quality image orthorectification
  • Increased precision of height information within standard cartographic maps and map updates
  • More targeted preparation of defence and security missions
  • Enhanced international cooperation and cross-border mission planning
  • Improved crisis intervention planning and emergency response support
  • Management of oil and gas fields

Global Coverage - Unique Accuracy - Unprecedented Quality

TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X radar satellites in space

TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X in Space © DLR

The German high-resolution radar satellites TerraSAR-X  and TanDEM-X form a high-precision radar interferometer in space and acquire the data basis for the WorldDEMTM. The worldwide homogeneous acquisition guarantees a global DEM with no break lines at regional or national borders and no heterogeneities caused by differing measurement procedures or data collection campaigns staggered in time.

Astrium GEO-Information Services German part, Infoterra GmbH, holds the exclusive commercial marketing rights for the WorldDEMTM and is responsible for the adaptation of the elevation model to the needs of commercial users worldwide. Astrium will refine the DEM according to customer requirements, e.g. editing of water surfaces or processing to a Digital Terrain Model (representing the bare Earth’s terrain). Individual solutions can be designed for specific application requirements.

WorldDEM™

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Did you Know?

Global Coverage Available in 2014

TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X started the synchronous data acquisition in December 2010 and completed the first coverage of the Earth’s entire landmass within only 13 months. The satellites are continuing with the second coverage, which again requires approximately one year for completion. More complex terrain areas are covered with a third and fourth acquisition campaign to ensure the consistently high quality and accuracy of the final product.

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Image Gallery

Discover the first WorldDEM™ examples in our image gallery