NR has been a leading research and development institute in Earth Observation since Norway started to focus on satellite remote sensing in the beginning of the 1980's. The institute's main role has since then been to do research and development of methodologies for analysis of digital remote sensing data, in particular methodologies for semi-automatic and automatic classification, parameter retrieval and object recognition.

Building on national and international collaboration, NR has been able to make significant contributions in several application areas, like environmental monitoring, climate change monitoring, environmental emergency detection, natural resource mapping and map revision. Our vision is to perform research and development leading to new remote sensing methodologies for improved ways of environmental monitoring, natural resource mapping and other applications for public authorities and industry.