Seeing the Earth in Microwaves: SAR Physics, Operational Missions, and the Road Ahead (Esra Erten)

Earth Observation Summer School 2026 17 Aug 2026 – 21 Aug 2026, Istanbul, Turkey https://opengeohub.org/events/earth-observation-summer-school-2026 Being available in almost all weather conditions and at all times, SAR has become one of the most powerful and indispensable technologies for observing and understanding the Earth. Unlike optical sensors, SAR systems, operating in the microwave region, can provide subsurface information based on the interaction between electromagnetic waves and the Earth's surface, governed by physical mechanisms such as dielectric properties, surface roughness, and geometric structure. We are currently in the golden age of SAR, with operational missions significantly increasing the availability of radar observations. This has enabled the routine monitoring of a wide range of phenomena, from agriculture to emergency risk assessments. Additionally, a new generation of missions—including NISAR, ROSE-L, and Biomass—promises to revolutionize microwave remote sensing through multi-frequency measurements, advanced interferometry, and unprecedented temporal coverage. This talk will explore how SAR “sees” the Earth, what insights we can gain from current operational missions, and how upcoming radar systems will unlock new possibilities for monitoring the water, energy, and carbon cycles of our planet. We will also discuss how to effectively manage SAR images in the era of GeoAI, particularly in conjunction with other Earth observation missions.