Why in the News?

The ISRO Chief has confirmed that the NISAR Satellite would be able to monitor the Tectonic Movements of Earth with high precision with a centimeter accuracy.

• Originally planned for July, the NISAR launch may be delayed to October-November due to issues on the U.S. spacecraft side.

About NISAR Satellite:

• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint satellite mission between NASA and ISRO.
• It would be a Low Earth Orbit observatory.
• This mission is aimed at enhancing our understanding of Earth’s natural processes and environmental changes.

Features of NISAR Satellite:

• L-band and S-band Radar Frequencies:

• • • NASA is responsible for the L-band radar, while ISRO provides the S-band radar.
    • This dual-band capability allows the satellite to monitor and measure Earth’s surface with high precision in all weather conditions and throughout both day and night.

• Large Deployable Antenna: 

• • • It is equipped with a large deployable antenna that measures 12 meters in diameter.
    • This large antenna enhances the satellite’s ability to capture detailed radar images with high resolution.
    • It will have a 39-foot stationary antenna reflector, made of a gold-plated wire mesh to focus radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure.

• Rapid Coverage: 

• • • NISAR is designed to scan the entire Earth every 12 days.
    • This rapid revisiting is crucial for observing and understanding temporal changes in the environment, such as shifting vegetation patterns, ice dynamics, and other critical parameters.

• Versatile Monitoring Capabilities: 

• • It will monitor Earth’s ecosystems and dynamics, including forest biomass, ice sheet collapses, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
  • Its radar system can penetrate vegetation and soil to provide three-dimensional reconstructions of structures and changes.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now