Why would I use SAR rather than optical imagery?

The primary reason to use SAR rather than optical imagery is SAR’s ability to penetrate materials that may block visibility in an optical image, like clouds, vegetation, ice, snow, and even smoke. SAR images can also reveal information about the surface roughness and moisture content of the Earth's surface, which can be challenging to capture using other types of imagery. These unique characteristics open up a wide range of use cases that are difficult or impossible with standard optical imagery. It is important to have a thorough understanding of SAR imaging before purchasing a SAR image, as it will appear much different than an optical image. Click here for more information.