Optical Satellites

Radar Satellites

Aerial Photography

Digital Elevation Models

Bathymetry

Imagery & Data Radar Satellites

Radar Satellite Imagery

Satellite radar imagery is a very effective tool for mapping oil on water from natural seeps, bilge dumping, oil production operations or accidents that release oil to the environment and for monitoring ground changes in any weather conditions.

Radar satellite collection is possible in almost any environment, in any weather, and in emergency situations. Radar sees through clouds and fog, and collection is possible day or night, so it can be relied on to collect data when it is needed.

InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) can be used to generate high resolution maps of ground surface deformation.  Data from active radar satellite sensors can be processed to identify and monitor displacements with sub-centimeter accuracy over large areas. 

Radar satellite imagery is available on demand by tasking satellites and from extensive data archives. Spatial Energy offers high resolution radar imagery from all the major radar satellites. 

Radar Satellites

	RADARSAT-2		ENVISAT		COSMO-SkyMed		TerraSAR-X
Band	C		C		X		X
	Res.	Area	Res.	Area	Res.	Area	Res.	Area
Spotlight Mode	1m	15x8km			1m	10x10km	1m	5x10km
Medium Mode	30m	150x150km	30m	60x100km	30m	100x100km	3m	30x50km
Scan Mode	100m	500x500km	150m	400x400km	100m	200x200km	18m	100x150km

The table above shows that the spatial resolution decreases as the size of the area imaged in a single scene increases. In other words, a narrower Beam Mode covers a smaller area and is able to identify smaller features.

Extensive archives exist for COSMO-SkyMed, ENVISAT, RADASAT 1-2 and TerraSAR-X sensors suitable for evaluation of historical displacement and generation of digital elevation models of large areas.  Data exists until the present for certain sensors, however not all areas have suitable data. 

Oil and Gas Monitoring Applications

• Oil or Gas field subsidence related to resource extraction
• Uplift from injection
• Stability of critical infrastructure including pipelines, buildings, transportation and production facilities
• Extent mapping of ground deformation
• In emergency conditions, radar satellite images can be acquired on short notice, between 4 and 12 hours. The imagery can be processed and oil spill areas identified, mapped and electronically delivered in critical situations.

Email us for more information on how we can help you with Radar Satellites and SAR services at info@spatialenergy.com.