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Topographic Mapping
National Security
Oil & Gas
Water Resources
Agriculture
Forestry

Solutions

Designed to map large areas quickly, GeoSAR’s dual-band IFSAR mapping capability provides highly interpretable radar imagery and precise elevation data above and below the foliage. These contrasting datasets support a wide range of end-user applications, from base topographic mapping for national or regional GIS, to the more specialized geospatial needs of the defense, engineering, and scientific communities.

Topographic Mapping

GeoSAR delivers all the information needed to create new, or update existing, 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 scale topographic maps anywhere in the world. Mapping through clouds and beneath vegetation, GeoSAR is especially well-suited for work in equatorial and high latitude regions where persistent cloud cover and dense forests dominate, rendering traditional airborne and satellite mapping systems ineffective.

Applications:

Detailed topographic data
GeoSAR provides accurate topographic mapping information, including spot heights, breaklines, and contours; the combined X- and P-band elevation data enables near bare-earth elevation modelling in all terrain and land-cover conditions. Together, these topographic data support regional or national decision-making for a variety of engineering, land management, economic development, and military activities.
Custom land-cover data
GeoSAR multi-band imagery and radar elevation data provide detailed thematic information in a variety of information domains, including geology, forestry, agriculture, and hydrology. In addition to standard land cover classification, GeoSAR data enables identification of soil types, tree types, crops, wetlands, and other features valuable for land-use and natural resource planning, monitoring, and development.

National Security

Current and accurate mapping is requisite to national defense and intelligence operations. Collecting radar imagery and 3D elevation data in a single mission, GeoSAR delivers geointelligence data that support strategic and tactical military operations, even in regions with limited or no existing topographic mapping coverage.

Applications:

Terrain analysis
Simultaneously mapping near bare-earth and first surface features, GeoSAR provides military planners accurate information about the natural and built environment, including elevation, transportation routes, vegetation types, surface drainage, standing water, and soil types.
Obstacles
The combination of GeoSAR radar imagery and 3D elevation data enables the mapping of obstacles that can stop, impede, or divert military movement. These include hidden structures, steep slopes, water features, jungle/forests, deserts, trenches, and military wire.
Key terrain
From GeoSAR data, analysts can identify terrain- or vegetation-based choke points, bridges, rivers, and level clearings in rough terrain, all key characteristics for combatant strongholds.
Cross-country mobility
Combining multiple thematic layers, GeoSAR data provides identification of mobility corridors, classifying areas that are unrestricted, restricted, and severely restricted for cross-country mobility.

Oil & Gas

GeoSAR helps oil and gas exploration and production engineers overcome the challenges associated with planning projects in remote areas that are either densely vegetated and/or encompass extreme terrain. Deploying globally, GeoSAR provides the high accuracy mapping needed for critical upstream and midstream activities.

Applications:

Geological interpretation
GeoSAR imagery enables the mapping of fault patterns, fractures, rock outcrops, and soil variations for initial structural interpretation of surface geology.
Seismic mission planning
GeoSAR elevation data provides slope, drainage, and tree height data; with GeoSAR multi-band imagery, users can identify standing water, water bodies, and existing infrastructure for logistical planning.
Well-site selection
Combined GeoSAR terrain and land-cover data can be used to locate the best possible well sites; these data are also beneficial to infrastructure planning.
Pipeline routing
GeoSAR data enables accurate pipeline routing for construction efforts, including slope depiction, cut-and-fill determination, and environmental impact support information.
Environmental impact assessment
GeoSAR users can classify vegetation types, map soil variations, estimate biomass, and locate environmentally sensitive ecosystems using GeoSAR radar imagery and terrain data.

Water Resources

GeoSAR provides efficient delivery of detailed hydrological data over large project areas. As an important input to environmental engineering, policy, and planning, these data help governments understand the potential impacts of development and climate change on its water resources. GeoSAR’s hydrological mapping capabilities are especially well suited for regions with little or no existing hydrological data and in climates that render traditional mapping techniques ineffective.

Applications:

Water management
GeoSAR imagery and elevation data enable detailed mapping of drainage features—notably streams and rivers—in support of accurate topographic mapping, water resource modelling, and environmental analysis.
Flood risk assessment
With the ability to accurately map topographic features regardless of vegetation or weather, GeoSAR elevation data provides a valuable tool for regional flood plan determination and flood mitigation planning.
Watershed delineation
By analyzing and modelling GeoSAR data combinations, it is possible to accurately define watersheds in both hilly, flat, and marshy areas for regional watershed mapping and catchment areas.
Coastal zone studies
GeoSAR elevation data, imagery and vector extraction capabilities enable accurate mapping not only of the coastal waterline but also of the vegetation extents, information critical to coastal sustainability.

Agriculture

GeoSAR’s dual-band radar data offers proven utility for regional crop identification and monitoring. Especially useful where optical imagery acquisition is hindered by cloud cover and ground haze, GeoSAR maps day and night and in nearly any weather condition to ensure full data coverage during the height of the growing season.

Applications:

Run-off analysis and irrigation planning
GeoSAR’s multi-format data enables the accurate determination of field slopes. When combined with orthorectified imagery, these data can be used to forecast run-off and formulate plans for optimal irrigation even over large areas.
Crop classification and inventory
GeoSAR has proven an optimal solution for crop identification and inventory yield management. In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Imagery Program, crop-monitoring program, GeoSAR data supports the classification of multiple crop types with a high degree of accuracy.

Forestry

GeoSAR, with its vegetation penetrating technology, is ideally suited for forestry management applications. Unique in its ability to derive the best possible terrain data in the world’s thickest forests and densest jungles, GeoSAR’s multi-radar sensor polarization capabilities also make it possible to accurately determine general tree-height and biomass. GeoSAR development is focused on refining and calibrating biomass estimating that will allow for accurate carbon accounting.

Applications:

Forest governance
GeoSAR imagery and elevation data provide high resolution spatial monitoring that improves the welfare and quality of life for those whose livelihoods depend on the sector.
Land-use planning
The analysis of GeoSAR data supports intelligent forest landscape planning that maximizes the environment, social, and economic impact through effective implementation.
Logging studies
GeoSAR’s ability to collect remotely sensed data from high altitudes with no ground footprint supports monitoring and policy enforcement.