The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the US space agency NASA plan to launch a joint remote sensing satellite for Earth observation in the first quarter of next year.
The Satellite named NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) onboard ISRO’s GSLV will be launched in first quarter of 2024, said science and technology minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Dr. Singh met a high-level delegation of NASA led by its Administrator Bill Nelson.
A Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory Satellite, NISAR, once placed in the orbit, will provide data for understanding changes in Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation
biomass, sea level rise, ground water and natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.
If every thing goes according to the plan, NISAR will observe nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days, measuring movements in extremely fine detail. It will also survey forests and agricultural regions to help scientists understand carbon exchange between plants and the atmosphere.
NISAR’s payload will be the most advanced radar system ever launched as part of a NASA science mission, and it will feature the largest-ever radar antenna of its kind: a drum-shaped, wire mesh reflector nearly 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter that will extend from a 30-foot (9-meter) boom.
Besides this, Nelson also urged the minister to expedite the programme related to India’s first astronaut aboard a NASA rocket to the International Space Station (ISS).
Nelson also met Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space.
It was a great honor to speak with students in Bengaluru today with Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space. His story lit up the room! To the Artemis Generation in India and beyond: Work hard, dream big, and reach for the stars. The universe is the limit! pic.twitter.com/mnPUJDfr8P
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) November 29, 2023
ISRO and NASA have formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Human spaceflight cooperation and are exploring cooperation in radiation impact studies, micro meteorite & orbital debris shield studies; space health and medicine aspects. The 8th meeting of India-USA Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation (CSJWG) was held in Washington DC in January 2023.
ISRO/DoS is also in discussion with prominent US industries (like Boeing, Blue Origin & Voyager) on specific items of cooperation and also to explore joint collaborations with Indian commercial entities.
The Indian side informed that a concept paper on the Implementing Arrangement (IA) is under consideration between ISRO and NASA. After a few iterations, both sides arrived at a mutually agreed draft and the same is processed for intra-Governmental approvals.
ISRO/DoS is also in discussion with prominent US industries (like Boeing, Blue Origin & Voyager) on specific items of cooperation and also to explore joint collaborations with Indian commercial entities.
The Indian side informed that a concept paper on the Implementing Arrangement (IA) is under consideration between ISRO and NASA. After a few iterations, both sides arrived at a mutually agreed draft and the same is processed for intra-Governmental approvals.
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