Bengaluru/Washington: The 'NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar' (NISAR) mission, developed in partnership between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA, is set to usher in a new era in Earth surveillance. The mission is scheduled to be launched in June 2025 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on a GSLV Mark-II rocket. Weighing 2,800 kg, the satellite is the world's most expensive Earth observation satellite, costing $1.5 billion (about Rs 12,500 crore). Let's know what this mission is and why it is special.
What is NISAR Mission?
NISAR is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite designed to measure subtle changes on the Earth's surface. It is the first satellite to use two different radar frequencies—L-band (provided by NASA) and S-band (provided by ISRO). This dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology will produce a high-resolution map of the Earth's surface every 12 days, with an accuracy of 5 to 10 metres. The satellite will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 747 kilometres and has a minimum mission life of three years.
NASA has provided the L-band radar, GPS, high-rate data transmission system and solid-state recorder for the mission, while ISRO has provided the S-band radar, satellite bus, launch vehicle and launch services. Its 12-metre wire-mesh antenna, which is gold plated, makes it the largest radar antenna ever built.
Features and importance of NISAR
The biggest feature of the NISAR mission is its all-weather and day-night working capability. This radar can collect data by penetrating clouds and darkness, making it ideal for monitoring natural disasters. This satellite will bring revolution in the following areas:
- Warning of natural disasters: NISAR can catch the signals of dangers like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and landslides in advance. It will measure surface changes up to the centimeter level, which will speed up disaster management.
- Study of climate change: This satellite will monitor glaciers, ice sheets and sea level rise. Assessment of the risk of glacial lakes in the Himalayas and the study of the Antarctic cryosphere will help in understanding the effects of climate change.
- Agriculture and resource management: NISAR will provide data on soil moisture, crop growth and land use changes. It will improve food security and resource management in agriculture-dominated countries like India.
- Ecosystem monitoring: It will track changes in forests, wetlands and coastal areas, helping in biodiversity conservation and understanding the carbon cycle.
NISAR data will be publicly available every one to two days, and within a few hours in case of a disaster. This transparency will prove to be a game-changer for scientists, policymakers and disaster management agencies.
Symbol of global collaboration
The NISAR mission is the result of an agreement signed between NASA and ISRO in 2014. The mission is not only a scientific achievement but also a strong symbol of India-US space collaboration. ISRO chief S. Somanath said, “NISAR will demonstrate the potential of radar and help study the Earth’s dynamic surfaces in greater detail than ever before.”
Challenges and preparations
The launch of NISAR was earlier scheduled for 2024 but had to be postponed due to a temperature-related technical problem in the 12-meter radar antenna. NASA sent this antenna to the US in October 2024 for special thermal coating and handed it over to ISRO in Bengaluru on October 23. Currently, the satellite is undergoing final testing.
Conclusion
The NISAR mission will prove to be a milestone in monitoring the Earth and tackling challenges faced by humanity. It will not only showcase India's space capabilities on a global platform but will also promote global cooperation in areas such as climate change, disaster management and resource conservation. As the launch date of June 2025 approaches, the world is keeping an eye on this historic mission. Will NISAR transform our ability to understand the future of the Earth? The answer will be found in the coming years.
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