NASA-ISRO NISAR Satellite Mounted on GSLV for Tomorrow's Launch
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has been mounted on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for its scheduled launch from Sriharikota. This 2,392-kg earth observation satellite will be injected into a 743-km sun-synchronous orbit, marking the first time a satellite observes Earth with a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band). With a five-year mission life, NISAR will use SweepSAR technology to scan the globe, providing all-weather, day-and-night data at 12-day intervals. Its applications include detecting ground deformation, ice sheet movement, vegetation dynamics, sea ice classification, and disaster response, with commissioning expected within 90 days post-launch.
Key Points
- The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between NASA and ISRO, is set for launch on a GSLV.
- It is a 2,392-kg earth observation satellite designed for a 743-km sun-synchronous orbit.
- NISAR will be the first satellite to use a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (L-band from NASA, S-band from ISRO).
- The satellite will provide all-weather, day-and-night data every 12 days using SweepSAR technology.
- Key applications include monitoring ground deformation, ice sheets, vegetation, sea ice, and aiding disaster response.
Exam Facts
- NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
- It will be launched by a GSLV-F16 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
- The satellite weighs 2,392 kg and has a mission life of five years.
- It uses L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) SAR, and SweepSAR technology.
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