Why You Should Care About L Band

The MapScaping Podcast - GIS, Geospatial, Remote Sensing, earth observation and digital geography

In this episode, we welcome back Lauren Guy, CEO and founder of ASTERRA, a groundbreaking company using L band and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for commercial purposes. Lauren shares his journey as a geophysicist and discusses the innovative applications of L band in detecting water leakages, soil moisture, and even minerals from space. Dive deep into the technical, commercial, and environmental aspects of SAR technology and learn about the future potential of this exciting field.

**Key Topics Covered:**

1. **Introduction to Astera**:

- Overview of Asterra's mission and Lauren Guy's background as a geophysicist.

- The unique use of L band and SAR for commercial applications.

2. **Understanding L Band and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)**:

- Explanation of the electromagnetic spectrum and how L band fits in.

- Advantages of L band, including its ability to penetrate the ground.

3. **Technical Insights into SAR**:

- Detailed discussion on polarizations, signal processing, and the electrical properties of materials detected by SAR.

- Comparison between L band and other bands like X and C band.

4. **Applications and Benefits of L Band**:

- Real-world examples of how Astera uses L band for water leak detection and soil moisture mapping.

- Discussion on the environmental and commercial impact of these applications.

5. **Challenges and Limitations**:

- Addressing issues such as noise interference from cell phones and radars.

- Limitations in resolution and the complexities of SAR technology.

6. **Case Studies and Success Stories**:

- Success stories including the detection of 118,000 water leakages worldwide and the discovery of significant lithium deposits.

7. **Business Strategies and Market Penetration**:

- Insights into ASTERRA's business model, customer education, and market challenges.

- Strategies for overcoming barriers and building trust with clients.

8. **Future Aspirations and Technological Developments**:

- Plans for launching their own satellites to ensure reliable data sources.

- The role of AI in enhancing SAR capabilities and improving detection accuracy.

9. **Entrepreneurial Advice for Remote Sensing Practitioners**:

- Lauren’s advice for remote sensing scientists and entrepreneurs in the industry.

- The importance of data feedback loops and the journey from a 20% to an 86% success rate in detections.

**Guest Information:**

- **Lauren Guy**: CTO and founder of ASTERRA. Connect with Lauren on https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-guy-asterra/

**Company Information:**

- **ASTERRA**: Learn more about ASTERRA’s innovative solutions at https://asterra.io/

**Additional Resources:**

- Check out Lauren’s previous appearance on the podcast for more insights into SAR technology.

- Explore ASTERRA’s groundbreaking work in remote sensing and their various applications across different industries.

**Episode Highlights:**

- "We can find water leakages from space and distinguish treated water from other types of water based on their dielectric properties."

- "ASTERRA has verified, dug, and fixed 118,000 leakages across 65 countries using L band SAR technology."

- "Our success rate has increased from 20% to around 86% thanks to the integration of AI and continuous data feedback."

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Recommended Listening

Finding Water Leaks From Space

Introduction To Synthetic Aperture Radar-SAR

Flood Monitoring From Space ( using SAR)