Powerful NASA-ISRO space mission to track changing Earth in fine detail

NISAR, a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), will measure changes to ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice on Earth in fine detail. Scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2024, this powerful Earth-observing radar satellite will map the entire globe in 12 days.

Short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, NISAR will use two different radar frequencies (L-band and S-band) to measure changes in our planet's surface, including movements as small as centimeter. The L-band has the capability to penetrate snow, helping scientists better track the motion of ice underneath. On the other hand, the S-band is more sensitive to snow moisture, which indicates melting. Both signals penetrate clouds and darkness, enabling observations during monthslong polar winter nights.

A powerful new space mission will track our changing Earth in fine detail 🌏The joint @NASA-@ISRO mission – called #NISAR – will give us insight into what triggers earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and other natural hazards. It’s set to launch from India in coming months. pic.twitter.com/eIeNuRjXVD

— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) January 9, 2024

NISAR marks the first time the two agencies have cooperated on hardware development for an Earth-observing mission. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is contributing the L-band SAR for this mission. The agency will also provide the radar reflector antenna, the deployable boom, a high-rate communication subsystem for science data, GPS receivers, a solid-state recorder, and payload data subsystem.

U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, which leads the ISRO component of the mission, is responsible for providing the spacecraft bus, the launch vehicle, and associated launch services and satellite mission operations. ISRO's Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad is contributing the S-band SAR electronics.

The satellite will be sent into low Earth orbit on ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II rocket.