Since the early 1990s, radar satellites have been continuously capturing images of the Earth’s surface. These archives, spanning more than three decades, can be processed to measure historical ground and infrastructure movement with remarkable precision. Atlas InSAR leverages this vast satellite record to look back in time and reveal where the ground has shifted, how much it has moved, and how those changes may affect today’s projects.
By transforming raw satellite data into actionable insight, Atlas InSAR provides engineers, planners, and asset owners with a powerful tool for understanding long‑term terrain behavior and making informed decisions during design, construction, and asset management.
Measuring Ground Motion from Space
30 Years of Satellite Data with Atlas InSAR
Beginning in the early 1990s, major space agencies (including ESA, JAXA, and NASA) launched satellites equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors capable of imaging the Earth in all weather conditions, day or night. These satellites have collected a continuous global archive of radar imagery for more than 30 years.
Today, Sixense uses Atlas InSAR to download, process, and analyze this historical imagery to:
- Map past ground deformation
- Understand long‑term asset behavior
- Identify trends and anomalies invisible from the surface
- Support risk‑informed engineering and planning
In the last decade, the availability of high‑resolution SAR archives over major cities has dramatically improved the ability to measure urban deformation with exceptional detail.
These retrospective studies are invaluable for:
- Design‑phase risk assessment
- Identifying vulnerable zones before construction
- Forensic analysis of past events
- Litigation protection through independent, verifiable evidence
Understanding Terrain Behavior for Planning and Design
During the planning and design phase of infrastructure projects, Atlas InSAR historical studies provide a retrospective map of ground deformation affecting the future site. This includes:
- Long‑term settlement or heave
- Slope activity
- Ground instability trends
- Seasonal or cyclic deformation patterns
This information helps engineers anticipate risks, refine design assumptions, and select the most suitable locations for structures and foundations.
Atlas InSAR is a powerful tool for site selection, characterization, and early‑stage feasibility studies.
Inventory of Critical Spots Along Linear Infrastructure
Radar satellites cover extremely large areas, making Atlas InSAR ideal for identifying critical zones along long linear assets such as:
- Railways
- Highways
- Pipelines
- Transmission corridors
Atlas InSAR can detect:
- Natural subsidence or uplift
- Active slopes
- Landslide‑prone areas
- Zones of accelerated deformation
This enables early mitigation planning and targeted field investigations.
Risk Analysis, Sustainability, and Urban Planning
Atlas InSAR historical studies can be performed at regional or metropolitan scales anywhere in the world. For cities and municipalities, Atlas InSAR becomes a strategic tool for identifying:
- Subsidence linked to groundwater extraction
- Sediment compaction zones
- Coastal erosion
- Flood‑prone areas
- Ground movement that may threaten infrastructure or public safety
These insights support sustainable land‑use planning, long‑term resilience strategies, and informed urban development.
Optimizing Instrumentation and Monitoring Plans
By identifying pre‑existing ground deformation before construction begins, Atlas InSAR helps optimize traditional instrumentation programs. This ensures that real‑time or manual sensors are placed where they will provide the most value.
Combined with Sixense’s expertise in geotechnical and structural instrumentation, Atlas InSAR supports:
- Cost‑efficient monitoring network design
- Targeted deployment of ground sensors
- Tailored monitoring strategies for each project
Protecting Projects from Legal Claims
Atlas InSAR historical studies can map ground motion beyond the project’s zone of influence (ZoI), identifying buildings or infrastructure that were already experiencing deformation before construction began.
This capability has proven invaluable in legal contexts, providing:
- Clear, independent evidence
- Objective historical records
- Strong support for claims management
Sixense teams assist clients in interpreting and presenting InSAR data effectively during disputes.
The Additional Benefits of Atlas InSAR
Unique Expertise in InSAR and Ground Instrumentation
• Integrated ground‑ and space‑based monitoring solutions
• Applicable across multiple industries
• Supported by more than 800 construction engineers
• Over a decade of radar data processing experience
A High‑Quality Processing Chain
• In‑house InSAR solution developed in 2004
• Continuously updated and improved
• Compatible with all satellite sensors
• Scalable to new SAR data volumes
• Ready for next‑generation satellite missions
Beyond Monitoring – Advanced Web‑GIS Platform
• Actionable, easy‑to‑interpret InSAR data
• User‑friendly, intuitive interface
• Customizable insights and analytics
• Advanced filtering and visualization tools
• Multi‑sensor integration
• Holistic asset management and control
Download the Atlas InSAR Datasheet
