DeMSAR is proposed as an answer to these problems. It is formulated as an off-line implementation of a SAR image processor, which, in a first version, allows the automatic detection of ships in SAR images. DeMSAR has been developed in the framework of a contract between University of Alcalá (UAH) and INTA (Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology). It is intended to be used as a demonstrator of the capabilities of the airborne SAR prototypes of INTA. Furthermore, INTA is the responsible for the Ground Segment and Scientific Exploitation of PAZ, the Spanish SAR satellite, planned to be launched in 2013. In this context, DeMSAR could be also used with PAZ products. Taking into account that the space segment is a heritage of TerraSAR-X (with a new front-end design), TerraSAR-X products are being used in the test and validation stages of DeMSAR.