Radar satellites can image the ground through clouds, while optical satellites cannot.

Is it true that radar satellites can image the ground through clouds, while optical satellites cannot?

Yes. One source states directly that clouds block visible and infrared wavelengths while radar signals penetrate clouds and can image the surface, and several other sources describe SAR as all-weather Earth observation. Together these support the claim that radar satellites can image through clouds while optical satellites cannot.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 4 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

H, Z., B, L., D, Z., Z, L., & M, S. (2026). InSAR Techniques for Landslide Study: A Review of Methods, Challenges, and Emerging Trends.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/s26154667

[2106.08408] Seeing Through Clouds in Satellite Images. (n.d.). ar5iv.labs.arxiv.org. https://ar5iv.labs.arxiv.org/html/2106.08408

Cheng, Q., Wang, T., Li, X., Wan, Y., & Jing, M. (2024). Geometric Positioning Accuracy Improvement Method of Micro SAR Satellites With Large Positioning Errors. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1109/jstars.2024.3430847

Tan, S., Zhang, X., Wang, H., Chen, B., Shi, G., & Shi, C. (2018). Comparisons of cloud detection among four satellite sensors on severe haze days in eastern China. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/16742834.2017.1381547