NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)

Prelims - Current events of National & International importance and General Science.

Why in News?

NISAR will be launched by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) Mission – It is a unique Earth observation satellite, and the first satellite to observe the Earth with a dual frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
- Dual frequency SAR — NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band.
It is the first joint collaboration between NASA and ISRO.
Aim – To deliver extensive environmental and geological data to scientists worldwide.
Features
- Launch Vehicle - GSLV-F16 rocket.
- Orbit - Sun-synchronous orbit at a distance of 743km with an inclination of 98.40 degrees.
- Payload capacity – 2,392 kg.
- Antenna & reflector - NASA’s 12m unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, integrated to ISRO’s modified I3K satellite bus.
- High-Resolution Imaging - It uses Sweep SAR (Swept Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology for the first time.
- All-Weather, Day & Night Operation - NISAR's radar systems can penetrate clouds and light rain, enabling continuous data collection regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
Goals
- Monitoring ecosystem changes and measuring forest biomass.
- Tracking earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic deformation.
- Studying glacier retreat and polar ice movement.
- Measuring soil moisture and detecting groundwater variations.
- Generating 3D surface maps of land and ice with high precision twice every 12 days after launch.
Significance
- Disaster response - Rapid detection of earthquakes, floods, and landslides could help save lives and infrastructure.
- Agriculture and water management - Accurate data on soil moisture and crop health can inform drought mitigation and boost food security.
- Climate monitoring - Continuous tracking of forests, glaciers, and wetlands enhances climate resilience.
- Technological advancement - Developing and operating dual-band radar technology strengthens ISRO’s future missions.
- Global data access - All NISAR data will be freely available worldwide, enhancing India’s standing in global Earth science.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

SAR is a technology that uses microwave pulses instead of visible light to create high-resolution images.
It works regardless of lighting or weather conditions like darkness, clouds, or smoke.
A SAR system uses a small antenna on a moving platform like a satellite to record echoes from the ground.
By combining these signals with precise timing and phase data, it mimics a very large antenna.
All-Weather, Day-Night Capability – Microwaves can penetrate clouds, rain, and smoke, enabling SAR to operate 24/7.
It can detect surface features and changes invisible to optical cameras.

Reference

The Hindu| NISAR First joint Satellite of NASA and ISRO

NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)

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