Vikrant Shekhawat : Oct 22, 2024, 10:05 AM
NASA ISRO Mission: To make the mission of NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite successful, its radar antenna reflector is being transported to India recently. It has been brought by NASA's C-130 Hercules aircraft, which took off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on October 15. The main objective of this mission is to safely deliver NISAR's radar antenna reflector to Bengaluru, India, where it will be linked to the spacecraft.Importance of NISAR MissionNISAR is an observation satellite, which will be launched to monitor environmental changes and natural disasters. Using its advanced radar imaging technology, this satellite will do a detailed study of changes in the earth's ecosystem, melting of ice, natural disasters like earthquakes, and tsunamis. The data obtained from this will be important for scientists and will help in improving life on earth and reducing the impact of natural disasters.Mission durationAfter the radar antenna reflector reaches Bengaluru, it will be re-linked with the radar system at an ISRO facility. After this, the mission will be launched in early 2025. This mission will start a new chapter in international space cooperation and earth observation.NASA and ISRO partnershipThe NISAR satellite is designed to operate for 3 to 5 years. This ambitious project was started in 2014 under an agreement between ISRO and NASA. The satellite is equipped with two different radars: an S-band radar, developed by ISRO, and an L-band radar, built by NASA.ISRO has built the S-band radar at the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, while NASA has installed the L-band radar, GPS, and other important equipment on the spacecraft bus. This collaboration is even more important for both the countries, as it promotes scientific research and development in space.Features of NISARThe NISAR satellite uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which enables it to send higher resolution images than other Indian satellites. According to NASA, NISAR is the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies (L-band and S-band). This satellite will provide important information related to the Earth's crust, ice sheets and ecosystems.Contribution to border securityThe NISAR satellite will be important not only for environmental studies but also for border security. This satellite will monitor glaciers in the Himalayas, where there is a problem of rapid melting due to global warming. Additionally, it will monitor climate change, tectonic shifts, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.The NISAR satellite will also be helpful in studying changes on the sea coasts, which will help in accurately analyzing events related to natural disasters. It will not only be useful for civilian uses but will also help in monitoring India's borders, where tense situations have prevailed in recent years.ConclusionThe NISAR mission is an important example of cooperation between India and the US, opening up new possibilities in the field of science and technological research. This satellite will not only help in studying environmental and geological changes on Earth, but will also open new dimensions in the field of space science.