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Context:
NASA and ISRO are set to declare the NISAR satellite operational on November 7, 2025, according to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan.
About NISAR:
- Full Name: NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
- Purpose: Earth observation with the ability to monitor most land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days.
- Weight: 2,400 kg.
- Launch: July 30, 2025, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre using GSLV rocket.
- Significance: Most expensive Earth observation satellite ever built.
Key Features of the NISAR Satellite
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dual-Frequency SAR | First satellite to operate using both L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) Synthetic Aperture Radar |
| 12-metre Unfurlable Antenna | Mesh reflector for high-precision Earth imaging |
| SweepSAR Technology | Offers wide swath coverage of 242 km with 12-day revisit cycles |
| High Spatial Resolution | Detects changes < 1 cm, crucial for fault lines, glacier motion, and landslides |
| Global Coverage | Enables day-night, all-weather, near real-time Earth surface observation |
Objectives of NISAR
- Monitor land surface deformation, glacier movement, and ecosystem dynamics
- Study cryosphere changes, soil moisture, agricultural and coastal processes
- Provide data to aid in:
- Disaster response (e.g. earthquakes, landslides, floods)
- Resource mapping
- Climate change impact assessments
India’s Contribution to NISAR
| Component | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| S-band radar system | Developed by ISRO |
| Satellite Bus | Modified I-3K bus architecture by ISRO |
| Launch Vehicle | Will be launched aboard GSLV-F16 |
| Ground Operations | Managed by ISRO’s ground segment infrastructure |
