NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)

NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)

News: Jointly developed by NASA and ISRO, an Earth-observation satellite, called NISAR, got a send-off ceremony at the American space agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California on February 3rd.

What is NISAR?
 NISAR has been built by space agencies of the US and India under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
 The 2,800 kilograms satellite consists of both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments, which makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
 While NASA has provided the L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder to store data, and a payload data subsystem, ISRO has provided the S-band radar, the GSLV launch system and spacecraft.
 Another important component of the satellite is its large 39-foot stationary antenna reflector.

Objectives of Mission:
 NISAR will observe subtle changes in Earth’s surfaces, helping researchers better understand the causes and consequences of such phenomena.
 It will spot warning signs of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and landslides.
 The satellite will also measure groundwater levels, track flow rates of glaciers and ice sheets, and monitor the planet’s forest and agricultural regions, which can improve our understanding of carbon exchange.
 By using synthetic aperture radar (SAR), NISAR will produce high-resolution images. SAR is capable of penetrating clouds and can collect data day and night regardless of the weather conditions.
 NISAR is expected to be launched in January 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre into a near-polar orbit. The satellite will operate for a minimum of three years.