NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is an exciting collaborative endeavor between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Its primary goal is to comprehensively study and monitor Earth’s land surface changes utilizing advanced radar imaging technology.
NISAR is a response to the National Academy of Science’s 2007 survey, identifying key Earth observational priorities in various domains such as ecosystems, crustal deformation, and cryospheric sciences. This joint mission harnesses the power of radar imaging to provide crucial data and insights into these domains.
What’s particularly innovative about NISAR is its utilization of two different radar frequencies, L-band and S-band. This dual-frequency approach allows for extremely high-resolution imaging, capable of detecting surface changes of less than a centimeter. This capability is crucial for studying and understanding various Earth processes.
The partnership between NASA and ISRO has been instrumental in ensuring the mission’s success. NASA’s contributions include the L-band synthetic aperture radar, communication systems, and other essential components, while ISRO provides the spacecraft, the S-band radar, the launch vehicle, and related launch services.
This collaboration exemplifies international cooperation in space exploration and highlights the significance of joint efforts in advancing scientific understanding of our planet. Scheduled for launch in 2024, NISAR holds immense promise in revolutionizing our understanding of Earth’s dynamic surface changes and their consequences.
How much does NISAR satellite cost?
NISAR’s estimated cost of $1.5 billion, roughly around Rs. 12,500 crore (125 billion), signifies the extensive investment and resources dedicated to this collaborative mission between NASA and ISRO. The mission, equipped with advanced radar imaging technology, aims to study Earth’s surface changes with unprecedented precision and detail.
Regarding the launch vehicle, NISAR is planned to be launched aboard India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), highlighting the partnership between the two space agencies. This launch vehicle, known for its reliability in delivering payloads into space, will facilitate the deployment of NISAR into its designated orbit to begin its Earth observation mission.
