The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in partnership with NASA, is preparing to launch a satellite designed to monitor Earth’s surface with high precision. Named NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), this mission will employ radar technology to observe and track changes in land, ice, and vegetation across the globe. According to a press release, NISAR will collect data every 12 days, providing frequent updates on the planet’s surface dynamics.
Developed collaboratively by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ISRO, NISAR features dual radar systems: an L-band radar from NASA and an S-band radar from ISRO. This dual-frequency setup enables detailed measurements even in low-visibility conditions, including nighttime or through dense cloud cover. The L-band radar, in particular, is capable of penetrating thick vegetation to assess ground movement below.
The satellite’s data will have significant applications in monitoring areas prone to natural events, such as earthquake-prone zones. While NISAR cannot predict earthquakes, it will offer data to identify regions that may be more susceptible to seismic activity, including fault zones in areas like California. It will also help researchers monitor the Himalayan plate boundary, a seismically active region that has experienced large earthquakes in the past. Sreejith K M, ISRO’s solid Earth science lead for the NISAR mission, noted that this data could improve understanding of seismic hazards in the area.
Beyond seismic monitoring, NISAR will support the study of volcanic activity by tracking small land shifts that may indicate eruptions. The satellite will also monitor infrastructure such as dams, levees, and aqueducts, assessing structural changes resulting from natural events.
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