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Satellite Monitoring

Monitor ground and structural movement with Sixense’s Atlas InSAR satellite monitoring—precise, remote, and cost-efficient.

Satellite Monitoring with Atlas InSAR

Atlas InSAR is Sixense’s advanced satellite monitoring solution designed to measure ground deformation and structural stability with millimetric precision. Using Radar Interferometry (InSAR) and satellite imagery, Atlas InSAR delivers continuous, accurate, and non-intrusive monitoring for projects across all phases — from design to construction and long-term operation.

Principles of Satellite Monitoring

What Is Satellite Monitoring?

Satellite monitoring uses radar satellites to capture images of the Earth’s surface over time, allowing engineers to detect even the smallest ground movements.


Unlike traditional sensors, this remote-sensing method operates day or night, in all weather conditions, and across vast areas without the need for on-site intervention.

How Atlas InSAR Works

Atlas InSAR is powered by Sixense’s in-house Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) processing chain, designed to transform satellite data into actionable insights.

  • Compares radar images acquired over the same area at different times to detect ground movement.
  • Uses advanced algorithms to reach millimetric accuracy.
  • Provides both wide-area deformation maps and high-resolution structure analysis.
  • Offers historical and real-time monitoring to understand and mitigate risks.

Applications Across Industries

  • Civil Engineering: Monitor bridges, tunnels, buildings, and urban environments throughout their lifecycle.
  • Mining: Track ground deformation across open-pit and underground operations to support safe, efficient decision-making.
  • GeoHazards: Detect slope movements and assess terrain impacts following floods, landslides, or extreme rainfall.
  • Oil & Gas: Ensure pipeline and facility stability while monitoring deformation from extraction or storage operations.
  • CCR: Monitor coal combustion residual (CCR) remediation activities during dewatering and for stability of impounding structures, and post-closure via subsidence measurements of closure caps.

Characteristics and Benefits

Atlas InSAR delivers millimetric precision, achieving accuracy levels of up to 1 mm per year and 2–3 mm on individual measurement points. This non-invasive satellite monitoring system operates entirely remotely, requiring no on-site intervention or maintenance.

Its high measurement frequency allows updates every 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, or 12 days depending on the satellite constellation used. With a high density of measurement points—often exceeding 50,000 points per square kilometer in urban areas—Atlas InSAR provides unmatched spatial detail and coverage across large or remote territories spanning thousands of square kilometers.

In addition to real-time observation, Atlas InSAR enables retrospective analysis of ground motion dating back to 1992 using archived satellite imagery. Clients can also benefit from on-demand monitoring, where update frequency is tailored to project needs and the magnitude of observed motion.

The solution also supports forensic and litigation analysis, offering valuable evidence for technical investigations and legal cases.

Sixense’s integrated expertise further enhances the value of Atlas InSAR by combining satellite-based data with ground instrumentation, delivering a comprehensive and cohesive monitoring approach. Results are visualized through a web-based GIS platform that provides an intuitive interface for easy data storage, management, and interpretation.

Additional Benefits of Atlas InSAR

Integrated Expertise: Ground and Space Monitoring

Sixense offers a unique combination of InSAR data and ground instrumentation expertise, providing a truly integrated monitoring approach. By merging ground and satellite-based sensors, we deliver comprehensive visibility into structural and geotechnical performance. Our solutions are adaptable to a wide range of industries and backed by more than 800 engineers specializing in construction and monitoring. With over ten years of experience in radar data processing, Sixense continues to lead the way in reliable and high-precision satellite monitoring solutions.

The Atlas Advantage

With over a decade of radar data processing expertise, Sixense has developed and continually refined its in-house InSAR platform since 2004. This proprietary system is compatible with all major satellite constellations and ready to support next-generation SAR missions. Through our user-friendly web-GIS interface, clients gain access to actionable insights, advanced filtering tools, and seamless multi-sensor integration, enabling confident decision-making based on precise satellite monitoring data.

Beyond Monitoring: With Atlas InSAR, satellite monitoring becomes more than data — it becomes decision support.

Our integrated expertise and advanced analytics empower clients to detect early warning signs of deformation before they become critical. By identifying subtle ground or structural movements, Atlas InSAR helps project teams optimize their risk management strategies and make informed decisions. Ultimately, this leads to enhanced safety, improved regulatory compliance, and greater operational efficiency across all project stages.