NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission: Aims and Objectives

NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission: Aims and Objectives

Question: NISAR is the latest collaboration between NASA and ISRO. Discuss its aims and objectives.

- NASA ISRO synthetic aperture radar /NISAR was recently in news

- This dedicated NISAR mission is a partnership between NASA and ISRO for studying the hazards of climate change on a global scale

- NISAR satellite will be the first radar imaging satellite to employ dual frequency

- It will be launched in 2021 and used for remote sensing and understanding natural processes of earth

- Design, Develop and launch a Dual frequency (L Band (24-centimeter wavelength Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar)

- Design and development of S Band (12-centimeter wavelength Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture) Radar Imaging Satellite.

- Exploration of newer application areas using L and S band microwave data, especially in natural resources mapping & monitoring; estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle; assessing soil moisture; monitoring of floods and oil slicks; coastal erosion, coastline changes and variation of winds in coastal waters; assessment of mangroves; surface deformation studies due to seismic activities etc.

JPL/NASA is responsible for the development and design of the following:

- L-band SAR,

- 12m unfurlable antenna,

- GPS system and data recorder

ISRO will be responsible for design and development of

- S-band SAR,

- Spacecraft Bus,

- data transmission system,

- Spacecraft integration & testing,

- Launch using GSLV and

- On-orbit operations.

Facts and Stats

- ISRO and NASA will share the cost of the project at INR 788 crore for ISRO and USD 808 million for NASA

- ISRO has effectively completed the Baseline Design Reviews of Spacecraft and S-band SAR payload.

- JPL has successfully completed the Mission Concept and Key Decision Point reviews.