NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) Mission

Prelims – Current events of national and international importance.

Mains (GS III) – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in news?

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan has recently confirmed that the satellite is scheduled for launch in June 2025 from Srihari Kota.

• NISAR – NISAR is the 1^st collaboration between NASA and ISRO for a joint Earth observation satellite mission.
• Aim - To deliver exceptionally precise, high-resolution image of Earth's dynamic surface to observe and understand natural processes (solid Earth, ice masses, and ecosystems).
• Launch vehicle – GSLV-F16 rocket.

• Key specification
  • Dual-band radar – NISAR uses dual-band radar frequencies (L-band and S-band) to map the Earth's surface.

L-band (25-centimeter wavelength) detects larger features like tree trunks and penetrates vegetation, while S-band (10-centimeter wavelength) detects smaller features like leaves and rough surfaces.

• • Together, they provide comprehensive Earth observations by capturing different aspects of surface features.
  • Orbit– Sun-synchronous, low Earth orbit (LEO) at an Altitude of 747 km.
  • Repeat cycle – It will scan nearly the entire globe every 12 days.
  • Mission life – 3 years.
• Contributions - NASA – It provides the L-band radar, reflector antenna, deployable boom, communication subsystem, GPS receivers, recorder, and data subsystem.
• ISRO – It provides the S-band radar and handles calibration and data processing.
• ISRO is also providing launching service with its GSLV Rocket.
• Significance – Measuring land deformation from earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity.
• It will monitor,
  • The movement of glaciers and ice sheets
  • Forest and wetland changes
  • Soil moisture and water resources
• Detecting surface changes with centimeter-level precision through dense clouds and vegetation.
• It provides critical data for both scientific research and disaster management.
• The mission will help us to understand the global carbon cycle.

References

1. Business Today| Launch of NISAR Satellite
2. Business Today| NISAR Mission