Introduction and About NISAR

- The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is a joint venture between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

- It is anticipated to be launched in early 2025 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Andhra Pradesh, India.

- NISAR is the first satellite to incorporate two advanced radar systems—NASA’s L-band radar and ISRO's S-band radar.

- The collaboration was initiated after a partnership agreement between the US and India in 2014.

- The satellite will be launched into low earth orbit using ISRO's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II.

 

Objective of NISAR

- NISAR will map the entire globe every 12 days offering consistent data on various aspects related to earth.

- Data collected will provide significant information on ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation, sea level rise, and groundwater.

- Additionally, it will also track natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides.

 

Key Features of NISAR

- The satellite is outfitted with gold-coloured thermal blankets, which help regulate its temperature during operations.

- Radar Payload, the core instrument for surface observation, stands as its key component.

- The Spacecraft Bus supplies power, establishes communications, navigates, and provides pointing control for satellite operations.

- NISAR also incorporates a 12-metre diameter drum-shaped wire-mesh reflector, enhancing radar signal focus and observational capabilities.

 

Applications of NISAR

- NISAR offers comprehensive earth surface-monitoring (both horizontal & vertical) with highly clear imaging, operational during both day and night even through clouds.

- It is an important tool for disaster mitigation as it tracks seismic activities, landslides, volcanic events, and ice sheet movements.

- It aids in environmental tracking by monitoring areas like forests, wetlands, farmlands, while also observing deforestation to support sustainable resource management.

- For infrastructure stability, NISAR assesses various infrastructures, monitors urbanisation, and tracks oil spills for effective management.

- With its vast data collection capabilities, NISAR supports the understanding of sophisticated tectonic movements, promoting informed, sustainable, and economical use of Earth's resources.