NISAR Satellite To Be Operational From Nov 7
- ISRO-NASA joint Earth observation satellite set for activation
- Narayanan says NISAR’s dual radar system to transform climate tracking
Delhi/Hyderabad, Nov 5 (Maxim News): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the NISAR satellite, developed jointly by ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will become operational on November 7. Addressing the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave, the chairman described the satellite as the world’s most expensive Earth observation project and a milestone in Indo-US space collaboration.
NISAR, short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, weighs around 2,400 kilograms and was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre using a GSLV rocket on July 30. Narayanan revealed that data collection for the mission has already been completed and that formal operations will commence with an official declaration during the meeting scheduled for November 7.
The satellite is designed with two advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems—an L band and an S band radar. The L band radar will focus on scanning forest areas to estimate tree density, biomass, and ice surface levels, while the S band radar will observe agricultural patterns, grassland ecosystems, and snow coverage. Together, these sensors are engineered to penetrate clouds, capture snow data, and provide continuous high-resolution Earth monitoring.
Narayanan emphasized that NISAR’s imaging system can monitor Earth’s ice centers twice every 12 days, providing scientists with critical data for climate studies, environmental management, and natural resource assessment. He described the satellite’s data output as “extraordinary” and said its capacity to scan the Earth once every 12 days will significantly advance the understanding of planetary changes.
According to ISRO, NISAR represents a crucial step in space-based Earth observation, combining global scientific collaboration with advanced radar imaging capability. Experts believe its data will support research in glacier melt, deforestation, agricultural productivity, and disaster management for years to come.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates
