NISAR Satellite Set for Operation: A New Era in Earth Observation

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, heralded as the costliest Earth observation satellite to date, is on the brink of becoming operational. According to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, this multi-billion-dollar mission is poised to revolutionize the monitoring of global land and ice surfaces.

Launched on July 30 from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre using the GSLV rocket, the 2,400 kg NISAR satellite completes global scans every 12 days. This mission uniquely carries both L-Band and S-Band SAR systems, allowing it to penetrate forest canopies to measure variables such as soil moisture and forest biomass, as well as monitor land and ice motion. It boasts capabilities to collect valuable data through clouds and precipitation, around the clock.

In addition to the satellite mission, ISRO is vigorously advancing its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, with an uncrewed mission slated for January. The agency has also laid out ambitious plans for launching a space station named Bhartiya Antariksh Station by 2028. This facility will host a rotating team of astronauts, signifying India's firm step into human space exploration.