NISAR Satellite

14.11.2024

NISAR Satellite

Why in the news?   

ISRO and NASA are planning to launch a new satellite called NISAR in early 2025 that will help keep track of Earth's surface on land and ice-covered areas.

About NISAR Satellite:

• It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
• It will be launched by using ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-II rocket.
• It consists of both L-band and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments, which makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
• NISAR will be the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies(L-band and S-band) to measure changes in our planet's surface.
• It is capable of penetrating clouds and can collect data day and night regardless of the weather conditions.
• NASA has provided the L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder to store data, and a payload data subsystem. ISRO has provided the S-band radar, the GSLV launch system, and spacecraft.
• It also consists of a large 39-foot stationary antenna reflector made of a gold-plated wire mesh which will be used to focus “the radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure.
• The NISAR mission will also benefit researchers focused on volcanic activity by helping track surface bulging or sinking caused by magma movement. This data will contribute to understanding volcanic behaviours and determining if such deformations hint at imminent eruptions.

Objectives of the NISAR Satellite:

• It will measure Earth’s changing ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses, providing information about biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater.
• NISAR will observe Earth’s land and ice-covered surfaces globally with 12-day regularity on ascending and descending passes.
• The satellite will observe movements from earthquakes, ice sheet movements, landslides and volcanic activity, track changes in forests, wetlands and farmland and even check infrastructure stability.

                                                                Source: Down to earth

With reference to NISAR Satellite, consider the following statements:

1. It is jointly developed by ISRO and NASA.

2. It consists of both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments.

3. It will be launched in Medium Earth orbit.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A)Only one

B)Only two

C)All three

D)None

Answer B