NISAR: All about the Earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA, ISRO
In a significant milestone for US-India space cooperation, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) has been handed over to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) by a US Air Force C-17 aircraft in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
The 2,800 kg satellite is a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite with L-band and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments, built by the space agencies of the US and India under a partnership agreement signed in 2014 . provided L-band radar, GPS, high-capacity solid-state recorder and a payload data subsystem to store data, while ISRO provided S-band radar, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch system and spacecraft .
NISAR’s large 39-foot stationary antenna reflector made of gold-plated wire mesh will be used to focus “radar signals emitted and received by an upward feed onto the instrument structure,” according to NASA.
Once launched into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, NISAR will observe subtle changes in Earth’s surfaces, such as warning signs of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and landslides. Additionally, it will measure the depth of groundwater, track the movement of glaciers and ice sheets, and observe the planet’s forestry and agricultural areas.
ISRO will use NISAR for a variety of purposes, including agricultural mapping and monitoring glaciers in the Himalayas, landslide-prone areas and changes in the coastline. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) will generate high-resolution images, capable of penetrating clouds and can collect data day and night regardless of weather conditions.
According to NASA, the instrument’s imaging swath, which refers to the width of the swath of data collected along the length of the orbit track, is more than 150 miles (240 kilometers). This enables the instrument to photograph the entire Earth in 12 days.
NISAR is expected to operate for at least three years, during which time NASA will need the L-band radar for its worldwide scientific work. On the other hand, ISRO intends to use the S-band radar for at least five years.
frequently Asked question:
1. What is Nisarga and how does it work?
NISAR is a dual frequency imaging radar satellite built by the space agencies of the US and India. It uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to produce high-resolution images capable of penetrating clouds and can collect data day and night, regardless of weather conditions. It will observe subtle changes in Earth’s surfaces and measure groundwater levels, track the flow rates of glaciers and ice sheets, and monitor the planet’s forest and agricultural areas.
2. What is the imaging swath of NISAR?
NASA says NISAR’s imaging swath, which corresponds to the swath of data collected along the length of the orbit track, is more than 150 miles (240 kilometers) wide, allowing the instrument to capture images of the entire planet within 12 days. becomes capable of doing.
3. Why is this satellite called Nisar?
NISAR is an acronym that stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
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