What is NISAR Mission?

January 9, 2025

The NISAR mission, a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO, aims to revolutionise Earth observation. To be launched in March 2025 from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, this dual-band radar satellite will monitor Earth’s land and ice surfaces with remarkable precision. The project originated from an agreement signed in 2014, reflecting a commitment to track environmental changes and assess damage from natural disasters.

How NISAR Operates

NISAR employs a drum-shaped radar antenna reflector, measuring 39 feet (12 metres) across. This antenna focuses microwave signals transmitted to and received from the Earth’s surface. The mission incorporates two radar systems – an L-band with a 10-inch (25-centimetre) wavelength and an S-band with a 4-inch (10-centimetre) wavelength. Each wavelength interacts differently with objects, allowing NISAR to capture detailed imagery.

Scientific Goals and Capabilities

NISAR will scan nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days, gathering extensive scientific data. The shorter wavelengths are sensitive to smaller features, while longer wavelengths can penetrate larger structures. This capability enables researchers to observe changes in ecosystems, monitor glaciers, and track geological movements, such as landslides and earthquakes.

Key Contributors to the Mission

The mission’s success relies on the collaboration between various ISRO centres. The Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad is responsible for the S-band SAR instrument, while the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru oversees the spacecraft bus. ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre provides the launch vehicle, and the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network manages satellite operations. NASA contributes the L-band SAR, antenna, and advanced data communication systems.

Expected Outcomes and

NISAR’s observations will yield unprecedented vital information about Earth’s surface dynamics. Researchers will gain valuable data on ice sheets, sea ice, and forest ecosystems. The mission will also track crustal movements and monitor volcanic activities. The high-resolution imagery, with each pixel representing an area the size of half a tennis court, will facilitate a deeper understanding of the planet’s living system.

Data Accessibility and Impact

NASA has committed to processing and storing NISAR’s data in the cloud, ensuring free access for researchers worldwide. This open data policy will enhance disaster response efforts by providing timely information before and after catastrophic events. The availability of such data will assist in damage assessment and mitigation strategies.

NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
The mission will capture data down to a centimetre scale.
ISRO’s Space Applications Centre is in Ahmedabad.
The L-band and S-band systems serve different observational purposes.
The satellite will revisit areas every 12 days for continuous monitoring.

Future Implications of NISAR

The NISAR mission not only represents technological advancement but also marks the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges. The data collected will support climate change research, enhance environmental monitoring, and contribute to sustainable development efforts worldwide.

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