NISAR Mission

What is the NISAR Mission?

Space agencies of the US and India built NISAR under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
They plan to launch it in January 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre into a near-polar orbit.
The satellite will operate for a minimum of three years.
It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory.
NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days.

It is a 2,800 kilograms satellite consisting of both L-band and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments. This makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
While NASA has provided the L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder to store data, and a payload data subsystem. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has provided the S-band radar, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle launch system and spacecraft.

S-band radars operate on a wavelength of 8-15 cm and a frequency of 2-4 GHz. Because of the wavelength and frequency, they are not easily attenuated. This makes them useful for near and far-range weather observation.
The instrument structure will use a 39-foot stationary antenna reflector, made of a gold-plated wire mesh, to focus the radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed.
By using SAR, NISAR will produce high-resolution images. SAR is capable of penetrating clouds and can collect data day and night regardless of the weather conditions.
NASA requires the L-band radar for its global science operations for at least three years. Meanwhile, ISRO will utilise the S-band radar for a minimum of five years.

Earth Science: NISAR will provide a wealth of data and information about the Earth’s surface changes, natural hazards, and ecosystem disturbances. It will help to advance our understanding of Earth system processes and climate change.
Disaster Management: The mission will provide critical information to help manage natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. It will enable faster response times and better risk assessments.
Agriculture: NISAR data will improve agriculture management and food security by offering information about crop growth, soil moisture, and land-use changes.
Infrastructure Monitoring: The mission will provide data for infrastructure monitoring and management, such as monitoring of oil spills, urbanization, and deforestation.
Climate Change: NISAR will help to monitor and understand the impacts of climate change on the Earth’s land surface, including melting glaciers, sea-level rise, and changes in carbon storage.