ASTERRA

ASTERRA, formerly known as Utilis, is an earth observation company that uses polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) from low Earth orbit satellites combined with proprietary AI algorithms to detect subsurface soil moisture at depths up to 10 feet (3 meters), covering areas as large as 3,600 square kilometers per pass with 10-to-14-day revisit intervals. Their flagship product Recover is a satellite-based leak detection service that identifies non-surfacing leaks in potable and wastewater distribution systems, averaging 3.5 leaks per crew day compared to 1.3 using traditional acoustic methods — a 400 percent efficiency gain. Recover is offered in Prevent and Advise tiers, with Advise including MasterPlan pipe deficiency mapping and Esri ArcGIS Field Maps integration. EarthWorks provides ground infrastructure assessment for dams, levees, rail beds, roadways, and mining tailings dams using L-band SAR to identify seepage and moisture risks before structural failure occurs. MasterPlan scores pipeline condition on a 1-to-5 deficiency scale, enabling data-driven capital planning for long-term pipe replacement programs. All solutions are accessed through the EO Discover 2.0 platform, which integrates satellite data with field crew inputs via the U-Collect app. Since 2016, ASTERRA has verified over 100,000 leaks, saving 368 billion gallons of water and 920,000 MWh of energy annually. The company won the inaugural AWWA Innovation Award in 2021 and its technology supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 9, 11, and 13.