Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America to jointly realize a satellite mission named ‘NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)’ for scientific studies of Earth. The NISAR mission is scheduled for launch in 2023.
NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
- The ‘Nisar satellite’ will study threats and global environmental change, while also helping to better manage natural resources.
- It will provide data for scientists to more accurately understand the effects and pace of climate change.
- The satellite will have a three-year life span, during which the mission will closely examine the entire globe every 12 days.
- During this time it will provide an ‘unprecedented’ view of the planet by depicting the ice and sea ice on Earth.
- Radar, high-rate communication sub-system for science data, GPS receiver and a payload data subsystem will be provided by NASA for this satellite.
- Along with this, spacecraft bus, second type of radar (S-band radar), launch vehicle and launch related services will be provided by ISRO.
- The NISAR satellite will carry the largest reflector antenna ever launched by NASA, and its main purpose is to track subtle changes on the Earth’s surface, send warning signals about volcanic eruptions, help monitor groundwater supplies and To find out the ‘rate’ of melting of ice sheets.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
- NISAR is an abbreviation for ‘NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite -SAR’. ‘Synthetic Aperture Radar’ will be used by NASA to measure changes in the Earth’s surface.
- Synthetic aperture radar (SAR), mainly refers to the technique of capturing high-resolution images. Due to the high accuracy, this radar can also penetrate thick clouds and darkness, meaning it is capable of collecting data 24 hours a day in any weather.
Source – The Hindu
