Small movements on the ground can greatly impact operations, infrastructure, and construction projects across different sectors. By monitoring deviations down to the millimeter level, potential challenges in ground stability can be uncovered early enough to reduce costs and the risk of damage.
Therefore, NGI and KSAT are collaboratively launching the Inio satellite service to precisely detect such movements. Inio is a global service that will assist industry, regional and local authorities, and transport projects in understanding and predicting ground movements.
The ground movements are measured with radar satellites through a technique called InSAR. Through this technique, small differences in the radar signals can be interpreted as changes in motion towards the satellite (uplift) or away from the satellite (subsidence).
NGI Managing Director Lars Andresen believes that the technique can improve public safety: “This service is developed based on NGI's strategy to contribute to digitalization and increased data sharing in the industry, and it has the potential to deliver monitoring of ground movements with much higher quality and lower cost than traditional methods,” says Andresen.
The service is being launched with KSAT, a world-leading provider of ground services for satellites in polar orbit. KSAT, which also provides environmental monitoring services in near real-time based on satellite data, is now aiming to scale terrestrial observation using satellites. “Teaming up with NGI to deliver important satellite-based solutions is a great example of how Norway can offer leading expertise globally by connecting different and complementary expertise. NGI are experts in ground conditions, while KSAT is experts in the handling and utilizing satellite data,” says Rolf Skatteboe, CEO and President of KSAT. “Therefore, the new service Inio has great potential, also internationally, because we combine world-leading expertise in two areas, which together make the service unique,” Skatteboe adds.
NGI is a leading research institute in geotechnics, the field concerned with understanding the properties of the ground related to construction and other human impacts. For over 15 years, NGI has been utilizing InSAR in research and commercial projects and is now fully committed to the development of the Inio service. The service will increase utility for InSAR users, including those who have not yet adopted the technology.
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Facts
About Inio
Inio offers users analysis of ground movements and tools to effectively monitor changes in ground movements and risks resulting from instability. The service is relevant to various sectors, including the infrastructure and construction industry, carbon capture and storage, mining, and the public sector.
Inio aims to assist more industries and communities that want to become more robust in the face of environmental challenges by offering leading expertise, expert analysis, and digital solutions.
About NGI
NGI is Norway's leading institute for research and consultancy in geotechnics and geosciences. NGI combines geoknowledge and technology to develop smart and sustainable solutions within infrastructure on land and at sea, within environmental technology, contaminated land, and natural hazards such as landslides and avalanches. The research contributes to solving climate, environment, energy, and social security challenges.
About KSAT
KSAT is a world-leading provider of ground station services for satellites, offering a wide range of services, including satellite control, earth observation, and land and maritime surveillance. With a global network of ground stations, KSAT supports several missions for both public and commercial markets.
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