NISAR

NISAR

Why it Matters? 

  • The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, designed for high-resolution Earth observation, is set to be launched on July 30, 2025, aboard GSLV-F16 from Sriharikota. 

What You Should Know?  

  • The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is the first joint Earth observation satellite. 

  • It is developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 

  • It will be launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-F16 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota. 

  (GSLV-F16 - Post Integration, reaching its Last Pre-Launch Position)  

  • It is a global microwave imaging mission using dual-frequency SAR (L-band and S-band), capable of polarimetric and interferometric imaging. 

  • Orbit and Positioning: 

  • NISAR will be placed in a sun-synchronous, polar orbit at an altitude of 747 km and an inclination of 98.405°. 

  • It will observe global land and ice surfaces, sea ice, islands, and selected ocean areas every 12 days. 

  • Design and Configuration: 

  • The total mass of the satellite is 2,392 kg. 

  • It uses ISRO’s modified I3K (Indian 3000-Kilogram Satellite Bus) platform. 

  • It is the first satellite to use dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). 

  • NASA provides the L-band SAR, while ISRO provides the S-band SAR. 

  • The radar system includes a 12-metre unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, developed by NASA. 

  • The satellite also uses SweepSAR (Sweeping Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology for the first time. 

  • Observation Capabilities: 

  • NISAR can observe a swath width of 242 km, scanning large areas per pass. 

  • It offers all-weather, day-and-night imaging, with a 12-day global revisit cycle. 

  • Applications: 

  • Land deformation due to earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, and groundwater extraction. 

  • Woody biomass measurement and changes in forest cover for carbon estimation. 

  • Extent of active crops and seasonal agricultural patterns. 

  • Wetland extent changes, especially in ecologically sensitive zones. 

  • Glacier and ice sheet movement in Antarctica and Greenland, and sea ice dynamics.