India is set to launch its long-awaited NISAR satellite on a GSLV Mk-II rocket in March 2025, marking the completion of a ₹5,000-crore collaboration project with NASA. The satellite will be capable of sharper imaging than previous SAR satellites and can look through darkness, clouds, and vegetation.
Launched in 2009, the NISAR mission was initially met with challenges, including a reduced budget and technical issues. However, ISRO’s low-cost missions had caught NASA’s attention, and the two agencies eventually partnered to overcome these hurdles.
The NISAR satellite will measure surface motions on Earth, detect subsidence, and study climate change. Its “12-day revisit cycle” means it will pass over a location twice every 12 days, detecting changes between passes. The satellite’s unique combination of swath width and resolution – 240 km and 10 meters, respectively – is thanks to its digital beam forming feature and two radars for different frequencies.
The NISAR mission is expected to enhance our understanding of the Earth’s dynamic processes and aid in disaster management and climate research. With its comprehensive specifications and robust capabilities, India is poised to make a significant contribution to global space exploration.
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/business-tech/why-nisar-is-a-unique-satellite-a-remarkable-mission/article68988804.ece