NASA and ISRO are gearing up to launch the $1.5 billion Earth observation satellite, NISAR, from India this July. This groundbreaking mission is set to revolutionize how scientists study our planet. NISAR, also known as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, will be sent into space using the ISRO-developed GSLV Mark II rocket. The launch is scheduled to take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Weighing 3 tonnes, the satellite will orbit Earth every 12 days, providing detailed mapping of the planet.

NASA recently confirmed that the satellite has arrived at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre after undergoing necessary repair works.

World's First Dual-Frequency Radar Earth-Observing Satellite

NISAR, jointly developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ISRO's Space Applications Centre, is the first Earth-observing satellite equipped with dual-frequency radar technology. By utilizing L-band and S-band SAR technology, NISAR will send radar pulses to the ground, collect data, and analyze the information gathered, offering unparalleled insights into our planet's environment.

Unlike traditional optical satellites, NISAR has the ability to penetrate tree canopies, clouds, smoke, and vegetation, providing continuous imaging day and night, regardless of weather conditions. The satellite's observations will be instrumental in monitoring natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, as well as changes in soil moisture, glacier melt, and agricultural patterns.

NISAR will capture data along the Indian Coasts, monitoring changes in bathymetry in deltaic regions and tracking shoreline erosion and accretion. The mission will also observe sea ice characteristics around India's Antarctic polar stations, aiding in the detection of marine oil spills and facilitating preventive measures in case of accidental oil seepage.

In addition to being the first satellite with dual-frequency radars, the NISAR mission signifies the first hardware collaboration on an Earth-observing mission between NASA and ISRO. What sets NISAR apart is its commitment to an open data policy, ensuring that high-resolution imagery and data will be accessible to scientists, agencies, and governments worldwide.

Furthermore, NISAR's capability to measure ground movement with millimeter precision will be crucial for monitoring tectonic activities, coastal erosion, groundwater variations, forest biomass, and dam integrity. The data collected by NISAR will play a vital role in climate science research and disaster relief efforts.