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Drone-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) analysis offers a simple and efficient technique for acquiring observational data from various research areas. However, fundamental research on observation techniques, including the investigation of drone flight parameters, remains insufficient. This study focuses on improving the resolution of intensity images of a single-look complex (SLC) via drone-based SAR observations. By conducting experiments at different flight speeds and analysing the obtained SLC images, we demonstrated that higher drone speeds resulted in enhanced image resolution under the conditions investigated at flight speeds of ≤ 5 m s−1. A comparison with satellite SAR images highlighted the superior performance of drone-based SAR in capturing topographic features. The analysis also suggested that factors including trajectory deviation and Doppler rate affected the resolution and azimuth position. The simulation results supported the experimental findings on the relationship between drone speed and resolution. Our results emphasize the potential of drone-based SAR observations for monitoring slope failures and suggest the importance of the drone flight parameter selection. In the future, drone-based SAR is expected to produce intensity images of slopes and locate slope deformations associated with blasting for mining and earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]