Earth observation satellites use two fundamentally different sensor technologies. Understanding the difference explains why certain missions use certain orbits and why coverage depends on more than just orbital position.
Earth observation satellites use two fundamentally different sensor technologies. Understanding the difference explains why certain missions use certain orbits and why coverage depends on more than just orbital position.
Both optical and SAR systems face the same fundamental constraint: higher resolution means narrower swath.
The sensor type directly influences orbit requirements and coverage strategy.
Knowing which sensor type a satellite uses tells you when it can collect — and when it can't. Cloud-heavy or winter regions often see optical satellites unable to acquire while SAR continues uninterrupted.