The SAOCOM (SAtélite Argentino de Observación COn Microondas) satellite series represents Argentina's approved polarimetric L-band SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) constellation of two spacecraft, a program defined, managed and operated by CONAE (Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales), Argentina's Space Agency, Buenos Aires. The SAOCOM-1 mission is composed of two satellites (SAOCOM-1A and -1B) launched consecutively. The overall objective of SAOCOM is to provide an effective Earth observation and disaster monitoring capability.

The SAOCOM requirements call for a capability to provide timely information in support of natural and anthropogenic disaster management (such as regional flooding, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, etc.), and to conduct monitoring services for agriculture, mining and ocean applications - including monitoring surveys of Antarctica (study of continental glacier evolution, global change indicators, etc.). The goal is to obtain data with high-quality radiometric and geometric accuracy (e.g. natural resources identification, interferometry, glaciology), and to provide also high revisit frequencies (daily) in support of specific operational requirements.

In agreement with ASI (Italian Space Agency), ESA advertises the availability of SAOCOM data acquired over the ASI Zone of Exclusivity (Europe and Mediterranean basin) via the ASI SAOCOM data hub.