GLISTIN (Glacier and Land Ice Surface Topography Interferometer) is a spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar for topographic mapping of ice sheets and glaciers. GLISTIN will collect ice topography measurements over a wide swath with sub-seasonal repeat intervals using a Ka-Band digitally-beamformed antenna. This paper will give an overview of the system design and key technology demonstrations including a 1m × 1m digitally-beamformed Ka-band waveguide slot antenna with integrated digital receivers. We will also detail the experimental scenario that we will use to demonstrate both the beamforming and interferometric performance of this system. © 2007 IEEE.