NASA is counting down the days to have the most advanced radar system ever built, according to a mid-week press release. The advanced Earth surveillance satellite, called NISAR, will use state-of-the-art radar technology to deliver unprecedented images of our planet.NISAR, short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, will observe nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days, measuring changes in unprecedented fine detail both during the day and at night. The data obtained by NISAR will help scientists better manage some of Earth’s most critical uncertainties, such as melting sea ice, groundwater resources and natural hazards. At the same time, more detailed data about the outer crust of the Earth will be obtained.
First of its kind
NISAR will consist of two radar systems, one built by NASA and the other by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). NISAR will have the largest radar antenna of its kind when completed: a 9-metre-long and 12-metre diameter drum-shaped wire mesh reflector.
NISAR will also be the first radar in space to routinely probe the Earth to assess changes in our planet’s surface less than a centimeter using two separate radar frequencies (L-band and S-band). Thanks to the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in NISAR, much higher caliber images and scientific data will be produced. Radars, called SARs, were usually attached to an aircraft to conduct surveillance in a straight line. However, in this scenario, the resolution was low and the coverage was not sufficient for a wide geography. Now surveillance from orbit will offer a very wide resolution.It will also be used in the detection of natural disasters.
As the earth’s surface is constantly changing due to both natural and human processes, humanity is now more exposed to natural risks than ever before. These changes, from small earth crust tremors to volcanic eruptions, will be measured by NISAR.Human populations are increasing in high-risk areas that are vulnerable to landslides, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, sea level change and other natural disasters. Every year, tens of thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in damage occur due to these disasters. Understanding these natural hazards and accurately measuring the hazard cycle is critical. Thanks to the rapid and global coverage of NISAR, pre-disaster and post-disaster observations will result in serious benefits. NISAR is expected to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center into a near-polar orbit in January 2024 and remain on the mission for a minimum of 3 years.
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