Source-This post on NISAR satellite is based on the article “NISAR Mission on track for early 2024 launch, says JPL official” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd January 2024.
Why in the News?
The NISAR satellite which aims to monitor natural processes and changes in Earth’s ecosystems, is set to be launched in March 2024. The partnership agreement for NISAR development was signed between NASA and ISRO in 2014.
What is NISAR satellite?
| Aspect | Details |
| Full form | NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) |
| About | 1. NISAR is a satellite jointly developed by NASA and ISRO for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observation. 2. It is an SUV-size satellite weighing around 2,800 kilograms. |
| Objective | 1. Tracking subtle changes in the Earth’s surface. 2. Spotting warning signs of imminent volcanic eruptions. 3. Helping to monitor groundwater supplies. 4. Tracking the rate at which ice sheets are melting. |
| Launch year | It will possibly launch in early 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh. |
| Mission life | Three years |
| Function | 1. It will capture images of Earth’s land, ice sheets, and sea ice every 12 days. 2. It will be able to detect the earth’s surface movement as small as 0.4 inches over an area. |
| Features | 1. It is a dual frequency satellite (L-band and S-band). Note– NASA contributed the L-band radar, GPS, solid-state recorder, and payload data subsystem, while ISRO supplied the S-band radar, GSLV launch system and spacecraft. 2. Another crucial part of the satellite is its large 39-foot fixed antenna reflector. It will be used to focus ‘the radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure’. |
What is the significance of this mission?
1. Earth observation– It will offer detailed observations of Earth’s surface, tracking changes in ice sheets, land deformation, and ecosystems. This data will improve our understanding of Earth’s processes and aid in tackling environmental challenges.
2. Disaster Management– The mission offers vital data for managing natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. This will enhance response time and risk assessments.
3. Agriculture- NISAR data will enhance agriculture management and food security by offering insights into crop growth, soil moisture, and land-use changes.
4. Climate Change- It will aid in monitoring and understanding climate change’s impacts on Earth’s land surface, including glacier melting, sea-level rise, and carbon storage changes.
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