News

SkyWatch, a satellite data distributor based in Ontario, Canada, has announced a new imagery product that integrates radar and optical images. The company’s platform, EarthCache, provides customers with access to commercial satellite data. This new offering is in response to the growing demand for integrated images that combine visually appealing pictures from optical satellites with data from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites that can operate at night and penetrate through clouds.

According to David Proulx, SkyWatch’s chief product officer, capturing clear optical images of the Earth’s surface can be challenging or even impossible due to atmospheric conditions. Therefore, the new service allows EarthCache customers to capture a SAR image of the same area of interest as their optical capture and overlay the data. SAR’s ability to capture images under all weather conditions makes it particularly valuable in monitoring and responding to critical events.

In addition to the new product, SkyWatch has announced a partnership with Umbra, a Santa Barbara-based startup that operates a constellation of six radar satellites. By incorporating Umbra’s SAR data into its virtual constellation of over 400 satellites, SkyWatch aims to further enhance its customers’ ability to solve complex problems.

James Slifierz, SkyWatch’s CEO, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that it enables their customers to tackle challenging issues more effectively. Joe Morrison, vice president of commercial experience at Umbra, commended SkyWatch as one of the pioneers in web-based, API-first tasking within the Earth observation industry.

The integration of radar and optical images offers a powerful tool for satellite data users, providing them with a comprehensive and versatile solution for various applications. SkyWatch’s new product and partnership with Umbra signify a significant advancement in satellite data distribution and bring increased value to customers seeking reliable and accessible satellite imagery.

The post SkyWatch Introduces New Imager Product Combining Radar and Optical Images appeared first on satProviders.