NISAR Satellite Launched
The NISAR satellite, a joint mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), was successfully launched in 2025. It aims to transform climate monitoring, disaster response, and environmental management worldwide. NISAR uses advanced dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to detect minute changes on Earth’s surface with unprecedented precision.
Mission Overview and Launch Details
NISAR was launched aboard ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F16) from Sriharikota. The 2393-kilogram satellite orbits Earth at an altitude of 464 miles, completing 14 orbits daily. It maps nearly all land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. The mission is valued at $1.5 billion and is expected to last three years, sending about 80 terabytes of data to Earth daily.
Dual-Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar
NISAR carries two radar systems – NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band SAR. The L-band penetrates dense vegetation and ice layers, ideal for monitoring tall trees and ice sheets. The S-band focuses on shorter plants like shrubs and is crucial for aviation and shipping by managing fog and visibility. Together, they detect tiny surface changes such as ground deformation, soil moisture variations, and vegetation dynamics, even through clouds or darkness.
Scientific and Practical Applications
NISAR’s data supports diverse applications. It tracks glacier movements in the Himalayas, monitors fault-line shifts to anticipate earthquakes, and observes agricultural cycles. It helps manage water resources by mapping surface water and soil moisture. The satellite also aids disaster response by improving flood, drought, and landslide forecasting. Its near-real-time data benefits researchers, disaster managers, and policymakers globally.
International Collaboration and Technology Integration
The NISAR mission exemplifies international cooperation. ISRO developed the S-band radar and spacecraft, while NASA built the L-band radar and provided orbit manoeuvre plans. The Integrated Radar Instrument Structure (IRIS) was assembled and tested at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory before integration at ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre. Both agencies jointly manage satellite operations and data calibration.
Mission Phases and Future Operations
NISAR’s mission includes four phases – Launch, Deployment, Commissioning, and Science Operations. After launch, a 12-metre reflector deploys from the satellite. The 90-day commissioning phase checks and calibrates systems. Science operations then begin, with continuous orbit adjustments and coordinated radar observations. This phase will generate ongoing data critical for environmental monitoring and disaster management.
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