Why in News?
ISRO successfully launched the NISAR satellite using GSLV-F16, marking the first India-US Earth observation mission. NISAR will use dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar to map Earth in high detail, aiding environmental monitoring, resource management, and disaster response.
Description:
Overview:
- Type: Earth Observation Satellite
- Uniqueness: First satellite with dual-frequency SAR – L-band (NASA) & S-band (ISRO)
- Imaging Capability: All-weather, day & night, high-resolution surface imaging
Organizations Involved:
- NASA (JPL):
- L-band radar
- Communication, GPS, and data systems
- ISRO:
- S-band radar
- Modified I-3K satellite bus
- Launch: GSLV-F16
- Ground segment & operations
Objectives:
- Monitor:
- Land surface deformation (e.g., tectonics, landslides)
- Glacier and ice sheet dynamics (cryosphere)
- Agricultural patterns, forest biomass, and soil moisture
- Coastal changes and wetland mapping
- Support:
- Disaster management
- Climate change monitoring
- Resource mapping
- Sustainable development initiatives
Key Features:
- Dual-frequency SAR: L-band (penetrates canopy & soil) + S-band (high resolution near surface)
- 12-metre Unfurlable Mesh Antenna
- SweepSAR Technology: Wide 242 km swath with 12-day revisit time
- High Spatial Resolution: Detects changes < 1 cm
- Global Coverage: All-weather, 24×7 Earth imaging
India’s Contribution:
- S-band radar payload
- Satellite bus (I3K)
- Launch vehicle: GSLV-F16
- Ground support & mission operations
Significance:
- First-of-its-kind dual-frequency SAR satellite
- Boosts Indo-US space collaboration (MoU signed in 2014)
- Enables real-time data for disaster response and environmental policy
- Supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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