The satellites SAOCOM 1A and 1B, whose initials mean “Argentine Microwave Observation Satellites” of CONAE, were launched into space from the United States in 2018 and 2020., respectively, and they traveled aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the Space X company that injected them into orbit. Both satellites have a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) antenna that receives information in the L-Band.
“ This radar technology allows to detect information at any time (day and night) and meteorological condition (cloudy or clear) and specifically the L Band, unlike other types of bands, manages to penetrate the vegetation and the soil surface, being able to generate humidity maps of vital importance for agriculture, “the company specified in a statement.
“Both the Argentine satellites SAOCOM 1A and 1B and Japan’s ALOS 2 are the only three currently operating in the world that have, as a scientific instrument, a synthetic aperture radar in Band L. Despite the fact that Japan had this technology, it is very good news that they have decided to make this alliance to offer SAOCOM scenes in their country and in the world. Without a doubt, it is an agreement that empowers both of us as players in the global market for satellite scenes ”, explained Adrián Unger, VENG’s Deputy Manager of Satellite Information.
Regarding the usefulness of the scenes generated by the SAOCOM constellation, Unger clarified: “A large part of our scenes are used to generate interferometric stacks. That is, groups of scenes taken over time that, through a pre-selection that we made from VENG, serve as raw material for interferometric studies. These studies allow detecting changes in the terrain and infrastructure of a few centimeters that can be used to monitor deforestation, damage to infrastructure, early warning of avalanches, mining and oil exploitation, among other uses.”.
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