Introducing ASTERRA and ALOS-2 Synergy

Introducing ASTERRA and ALOS-2 Synergy Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the launch of ALOS-2. Today, its observation data is being utilized across a wide range of fields, including infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster.
PASCO conducted an interview with ASTERRA, a cutting-edge global technology company leveraging ALOS-2 data to deliver innovative solutions across multiple industry sectors.

Interviewee

ASTERRA is a leader in advanced satellite-based AI powered technologies that transform how communities manage and protect their most critical infrastructure. Using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, we provide actionable intelligence that helps utilities, municipalities, and industries monitor underground and surface conditions at scale.
ASTERRA’s core services are focused on water management (for leak detection), infrastructure resiliency, and environmental monitoring. From detecting underground leaks in potable water systems, to mapping soil moisture for geotechnical stability, to monitoring large-scale environmental changes, ASTERRA’s insights save resources, reduce risks, and enhance sustainability. By bridging space technology with daily operations on the ground, we help societies build more vibrant, resilient and sustainable futures. These services have been utilised by over 600 water utilities in 68 countries, 175,000 leaks verified and counting with over 2,000 Data Releases, (as of September 2025)

Services based on ALOS-2 satellite data

ALOS-2, with its high data quality and accuracy has been instrumental in enabling ASTERRA’s unique services for nearly 10 years. Its L-band radar coupled with ASTERRA’s proprietary patented algorithm provides the penetration and stability needed to detect critical underground changes that are invisible to optical satellites.
Leveraging ALOS-2 data, we deliver services such as:





◇ Water Leak Detection (Recover Product)– Identifying hidden leaks in urban and rural water distribution networks, saving billions of liters of water while reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.

◇ Infrastructure Monitoring (EarthWorks Product) – Assessing soil moisture beneath roads, railways, dams, levees, canals, and pipelines to predict risks of failure to minimize its consequence or subsidence before they become critical.

◇ Environmental Applications – Supporting disaster response, agriculture, and land-use management by providing reliable, all-weather monitoring.

Through ALOS-2, ASTERRA has directly contributed to social activities such as reducing water scarcity, lowering operational costs for utilities, and helping governments safeguard communities against infrastructure-related hazards. It is a clear and non-invasive example of how space technology creates tangible benefits for society.

Expectations for ALOS-4

We are very excited about the upcoming launch and commercialization of ALOS-4. With a wider swath coverage, improved revisit frequency and the continuation of quad-polarization from ALOS-2, ALOS-4 will significantly strengthen our capabilities in terms of project operations and allow us to better serve our customers’ needs around the world. Our expectations are threefold:

　1. Greater Human Impact –By providing us with greater coverage options, ALOS-4 will allow us to help societies conserve even more water, prevent infrastructure failures, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at scale.

　2. Broader Applications – Improved technology and coverage will expand the use of SAR for environmental monitoring, climate adaptation, and disaster resilience, making ASTERRA’s solutions even more relevant in a changing world.

　3. Global Reach – ALOS-4 will allow us to serve more communities faster and more effectively, aligning with global efforts to achieve sustainability and resilience goals.

In short, ALOS-4 represents not just a technological advancement, but an opportunity to multiply the positive impact that ASTERRA and SAR data bring to society.