NASA and ISRO, two distinguished space agencies, have come together to work on the development of an impressive SUV-sized satellite named NISAR. Set for a 2022 launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, located in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), this satellite boasts the capability to detect minute planetary surface movements as subtle as 0.4 inches over areas roughly half the size of a tennis court.
Understanding ‘NISAR’
The tag ‘NISAR’ is an acronym that stands for NASA-ISRO-SAR. Here, SAR refers to the Synthetic Aperture Radar, a high-resolution imaging tool that NASA will utilize to observe and measure alterations on Earth’s surface. The precision level of this radar allows it to penetrate clouds and darkness, enabling continuous data collection in any weather condition, both day and night.
Function of NISAR
On its destined three-year mission, NISAR will complete a globe scan every 12 days, capturing images of Earth’s land, ice sheets, and sea ice. This repeated and consistent imaging will provide an unmatched perspective of our planet.
The Role of NASA in the Mission
NASA, the esteemed space agency of the United States, contributes to this mission by providing one of the radars, a high-rate communication subsystem for science data, GPS receivers, and a payload data subsystem. Additionally, NISAR will be armed with the largest reflector antenna ever launched by NASA.
The Role of ISRO in the Mission
ISRO (Indian Space and Research Organisation) brings its massive resources to this mission by supplying the spacecraft bus, a second type of radar called the S-band radar, the launch vehicle, and associated launch services.
Primary Goals of the Mission
This ambitious mission targets key objectives such as monitoring subtle changes in Earth’s surface, detecting warning signs of impending volcanic eruptions, tracking groundwater supplies, and keeping tabs on the rate of melting ice sheets.
Expected Benefits from NISAR
The data derived from NISAR is anticipated to be used worldwide for better management of natural resources and hazards. Moreover, the collected data will equip scientists with invaluable information to understand the effects and pace of climate change more accurately. By revealing local changes and regional trends, these detailed images will serve as a tool for comprehending the causes and consequences of land surface changes, and enhance our knowledge of the planet’s crust.
About S-Band Radar
S-band radars operate on a wavelength of 8-15 cm and a frequency of 2-4 GHz. These radars offer quality weather observation for both near and far range owing to their resistance to easy attenuation. However, the requirement of a large antenna dish and a powerful motor can be seen as drawbacks. S-band dishes often exceed 25 feet in size.
