NISAR Satellite: First NASA-ISRO Earth Observation Mission
Why in the news
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite was scheduled to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on GSLV-F16.
Key facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Radar bands | L-band (NASA) plus S-band (ISRO), a first for one satellite |
| Antenna | 12-metre unfurlable mesh reflector |
| SweepSAR | 242 km swath, 12-day revisit |
| Resolution | Detects changes below 1 cm |
Objectives
- Track land deformation, glaciers, ecosystems, soil moisture, farming and coasts.
- Aid disaster response and climate impact studies.
India’s role
- S-band radar and a modified I-3K satellite bus, both from ISRO.
- Launch on GSLV-F16 and ground operations by ISRO.
Exam angle
- Launch vehicle: GSLV-F16; spaceport: Sriharikota.