Nisar Satellite Mission
The launch of the Nisar (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite represents a significant partnership between NASA and ISRO, following the recent Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station.
ISRO and NASA Collaboration
- The partnership is likely to expand, especially after India's 2023 agreement to the Artemis Accords, which establish principles for outer space exploration and use.
- ISRO stands to gain greatly from this cooperation, considering its ambitious plan for multiple manned missions in the next 15 years.
- NASA could offer technological support and access to facilities to aid ISRO's progress.
Opportunities and Challenges
- The Artemis Accords may allow ISRO and Indian aerospace firms to bid for NASA tenders, offering a chance to expand skills and capabilities.
- US policy under the Trump regime might reduce NASA’s budget, potentially limiting opportunities.
Nisar Mission Details
- The satellite, weighing 2,400 kg, was launched using ISRO facilities and a launch vehicle.
- It features two radars: L-band provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and S-band developed by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad.
- Placed in a sun-synchronous polar orbit, it will capture dynamic, three-dimensional Earth views every 12 days.
Radar Sensitivity and Applications
- L-band Radar:
- Measures soil moisture, forest biomass, and surface motions of land and ice.
- S-band Radar:
- Monitors agricultural lands, grassland ecosystems, erosion, and infrastructure movement.
- These observations could enhance disaster response, natural-resource management, and understanding of various natural and human-made processes.
- The mission aims to provide insights into earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and climate change effects by detecting changes in Earth's surface over time.
