The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is a collaborative project between NASA and ISRO, aimed at providing advanced radar imaging for Earth observation.
NISAR is expected to be the world's most expensive Earth-imaging satellite, with a total cost estimated at US$1.5 billion. The data collected will be freely available to the scientific community and the public, aiding in understanding and managing Earth's natural resources and hazards.
Here's a brief history and timeline of the NISAR mission:
Conceptualization
2014: The partnership between NASA and ISRO was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and launch the NISAR satellite.2016: Detailed design and development work began, with both agencies contributing their expertise and resources.
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| Artist Rendering of NISAR (Source: NASA/ JPl-Caltech) |
Development and Testing
2018-2020: The development of the satellite's components, including the L-band radar provided by NASA and the S-band radar provided by ISRO, was completed.2020-2023: Integration and testing of the satellite and its instruments were conducted to ensure functionality and reliability.
Launch Preparation
2023: The satellite was transported to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, India, for final preparations and integration with the launch vehicle.2024: Final checks and rehearsals were conducted in preparation for the scheduled launch in early 2025.
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| NISAR's flight antenna system undergoes thermal vacuum testing at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
Launch and Mission
March 2025 (Planned): The NISAR satellite is scheduled to be launched aboard ISRO's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.Mission Objectives
Earth Observation: NISAR will map the entire globe every 12 days, providing data on ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation, sea level rise, groundwater, and natural hazards like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides.Dual Radar Systems: The satellite will carry both L-band and S-band radars, allowing for comprehensive monitoring of Earth's surface movements and natural processes.
NISAR Launch and Deploy Animation Video
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