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From collapsing dams to failing embankments, disaster can strike when engineers fail to account for the presence of water in soil. ASTERRA addresses this risk by detecting underground soil moisture as deep as 3.0 metres below ground using patented algorithms combined with AI on satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. From tailings dams to waste mineral tips, road and rail infrastructure, this method can identify damage and locate potential points of failure, allowing preventative maintenance to be directed to where it is needed most, and crucially before the onset of failure can occur.
This proprietary methodology was originally used in the search for water on Mars and has since been adapted to monitor soil moisture around critical infrastructure on Earth from orbit. The process uses data from commercial satellites equipped with L-Band SAR, which can penetrate through clouds, vegetation and soil.
SAR data is analysed using a patented algorithm before delivering hard intelligence to planners, engineers, and policymakers. This allows decision-makers to make data-informed choices about the repair, maintenance, and long-term planning of above and below-ground infrastructure.
This paper highlights the benefits of SAR data as a means of remotely monitoring soil moisture content and thereby safeguarding critical infrastructure.