India (Commonwealth Union)_ A major Earth observation mission, jointly developed by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is all set for launch later this month. Known as NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), the satellite is set to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. If all final checks go smoothly, the mission could launch by the end of July. The NISAR satellite will be launched aboard ISRO’s GSLV Mark II rocket and marks the first time NASA and ISRO have collaborated on building an Earth observation satellite from the ground up. The spacecraft, which weighs roughly three tons, is expected to operate in orbit for a minimum of three years.
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This mission has been over a decade in the making. It was initiated as two different projects: NASA was making an L-band radar, while ISRO was working on a similar idea with S-band radar. In 2014, the two entities planned to merge their projects to form a single, more effective satellite that is capable of operating in both radar bands. The end product is a highly sophisticated observatory capable of monitoring the Earth’s surface in incredible detail. NISAR is presently in the final stages of preparation. The satellite and launch vehicle are currently at the Sriharikota spaceport, awaiting final tests. Officials say the mission, which has a budget of approximately $1.5 billion, is one of the most ambitious and expensive Earth science projects either agency has ever undertaken.
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Once in space, NISAR will unfold its massive 13-meter radar antenna, a delicate structure that will open like a piece of origami. From its sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 747 kilometers, the satellite will pass over the same regions of the Earth at consistent times each day. This sort of orbit is good for long-term observation of land movement, glacier changes, and other sluggish, large-scale events. The satellite will circle the Earth once every 98.5 minutes, covering the same region twice every 12 days, once during an ascending pass and once on a descending pass. That translates to new observations of each location roughly every six days, offering scientists a steady stream of high-quality data.
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What sets NISAR apart from other Earth-observing satellites is its use of dual-frequency radar. ISRO’s S-band radar, which is better suited to viewing surface characteristics, will cooperate with NASA’s L-band radar, which can penetrate deep into ice and forests. When combined, they will offer a thorough understanding of the planet’s dynamic processes, seeing everything from ice sheet collapse in polar areas to ground deformation brought on by earthquakes. However, the goal extends well beyond scholarly curiosity. NISAR is intended to be a worldwide instrument. All information gathered by the satellite will be publicly accessible to scholars, disaster relief organizations, and decision-makers worldwide. It is anticipated that this open-access strategy would facilitate improved planning for sea level rise and infrastructure safety, as well as more efficient responses to natural catastrophes like earthquakes, landslides, and floods.
Each agency contributed key components to the project. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was responsible for the L-band radar system, the large deployable antenna, and much of the spacecraft’s onboard data system, including GPS receivers and solid-state recorders. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center will also manage the Near Space Network to receive data from the satellite once it is in orbit. ISRO handled the development of the S-band radar through its Space Applications Centre and built the spacecraft itself at the U R Rao Satellite Centre. The GSLV Mark II rocket comes from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, while the launch operations are being carried out at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. ISRO will also be in charge of controlling the satellite once it is in orbit and processing the S-band data through the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC).
NISAR will monitor a wide range of natural and man-made disasters, including forest degradation, glacier retreat, groundwater depletion, and surface deformation due to earthquakes or infrastructure development. Scientists and policymakers expect the findings to transform their understanding of Earth’s intricate processes. Scientists, engineers, and environmentalists worldwide are growing increasingly excited as the launch date draws near. Furthermore, NISAR is a remarkable example of international space collaboration, as well as a valuable instrument for studying and protecting our shared planet.
