The Remote Sensing Unit (RSU) is a research & development department integrated in the Geographical Information Research and Management Services Directorate (DSIGIG), which is one of the central operational services of the Portuguese Geographic Institute (IGP).

Scientific research within the field of Earth Observation is RSU's major focus. The Unit develops several projects, both individually and through partnerships with other national and international organisations. These projects are essentially funded by the European Comission and the National Science Foundation. Simultaneously, RSU hosts permanently several MSc and PhD students who develop their research within the framework of the Unit's activity.