NISAR satellite

Source: TH

Context: The NISAR satellite, jointly developed by NASA and ISRO, is scheduled to be launched on July 30, 2025 from Sriharikota using GSLV-F16, marking a milestone in Earth observation and space diplomacy.

About NISAR satellite:

• What is NISAR?

• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is the first dual-frequency Earth observation satellite using L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR). It will capture high-resolution data across all weather conditions and during both day and night.

• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is the first dual-frequency Earth observation satellite using L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

• It will capture high-resolution data across all weather conditions and during both day and night.

• Organisations Involved:

• NASA (Jet Propulsion Laboratory): Provides L-band radar, communication systems, GPS, and data subsystem. ISRO: Contributes the S-band radar, satellite bus, launch vehicle (GSLV-F16), and launch services.

• NASA (Jet Propulsion Laboratory): Provides L-band radar, communication systems, GPS, and data subsystem.

• ISRO: Contributes the S-band radar, satellite bus, launch vehicle (GSLV-F16), and launch services.

• Objectives of NISAR:

• Monitor land surface deformation, glacier movement, and ecosystem dynamics. Study cryosphere changes, soil moisture, coastal and agricultural processes. Provide data for disaster response, resource mapping, and climate change impact assessment.

• Monitor land surface deformation, glacier movement, and ecosystem dynamics.

• Study cryosphere changes, soil moisture, coastal and agricultural processes.

• Provide data for disaster response, resource mapping, and climate change impact assessment.

• Key Features:

• Dual-Frequency SAR: First satellite to use both L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) radar frequencies. Unfurlable Antenna: Equipped with a 12-meter mesh reflector antenna for high-precision imaging. SweepSAR Technology: Captures a swath of 242 km with 12-day revisit cycles. High Spatial Resolution: Detects surface changes less than 1 cm, crucial for fault line and landslide mapping. Global Coverage: Enables day-and-night, all-weather scanning of Earth’s surface.

• Dual-Frequency SAR: First satellite to use both L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) radar frequencies.

• Unfurlable Antenna: Equipped with a 12-meter mesh reflector antenna for high-precision imaging.

• SweepSAR Technology: Captures a swath of 242 km with 12-day revisit cycles.

• High Spatial Resolution: Detects surface changes less than 1 cm, crucial for fault line and landslide mapping.

• Global Coverage: Enables day-and-night, all-weather scanning of Earth’s surface.

• India’s Contribution:

• ISRO is responsible for: S-band radar system Modified I3K satellite bus Launch through GSLV-F16 Ground segment operations

• S-band radar system

• Modified I3K satellite bus

• Launch through GSLV-F16

• Ground segment operations

• Significance of NISAR:

• First of its kind Earth-observing mission with dual radar frequencies. Strengthens Indo-US space cooperation since the 2014 MoU. Supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via environmental monitoring.

• First of its kind Earth-observing mission with dual radar frequencies.

• Strengthens Indo-US space cooperation since the 2014 MoU.

• Supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via environmental monitoring.