TAG: GS 3- SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, collaboration between the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is set to revolutionize Earth observation and disaster preparedness.
EXPLANATION:
About the NISAR Mission:
- NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a collaborative Earth observation mission by NASA and ISRO, aiming to improve disaster preparedness and Earth monitoring.
- It is set to launch in early 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh, on ISRO’s GSLV Mark II rocket.
Technological Features
- Dual Radar System: First satellite to carry both an L-band radar (NASA) and an S-band radar (ISRO), allowing it to monitor Earth’s surface with high precision.
- All-Weather Observation: The radars operate day and night and can penetrate clouds, unlike optical instruments, making it ideal for continuous monitoring.
Earth Monitoring Capabilities
- Global Surface Tracking: NISAR will monitor shifts in Earth’s surface, including land, ice, and vegetation, with precision down to fractions of an inch.
- Frequent Observation: It will cover nearly the entire planet’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days, providing regular and detailed updates.
- Tracking Geological Changes: Observes movements caused by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity, and infrastructure changes, enhancing preparedness for natural disasters.
Applications in Disaster Preparedness
- Earthquake Monitoring: NISAR will not predict earthquakes but will help identify fault lines and regions prone to seismic activity by observing slow ground movements.
- Volcano Surveillance: Detects surface bulging or sinking caused by magma movement, potentially providing early warning signs of volcanic eruptions.
- Landslide and Infrastructure Monitoring: Tracks early signs of landslides and can detect subtle shifts in infrastructure, such as levees or aqueducts, aiding in timely maintenance and disaster response.
Impact on Infrastructure Management
- Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure: NISAR’s data can help monitor large structures like levees and aqueducts, identifying areas needing inspection and reducing time and costs.
- Post-Disaster Assessment: Provides rapid information on compromised structures after disasters like earthquakes, supporting quick response in critical regions, such as California’s levees.
Benefits for India and Global Monitoring:
- Seismic Risk in the Himalayas: With high seismic risk in the Himalayan region, NISAR’s data will offer critical insights into potential earthquake hazards in the area.
- Global Observation: By monitoring less-studied parts of the world, it could reveal new earthquake-prone areas, contributing to global disaster preparedness.
Significance of International Collaboration:
- India-US Partnership: NISAR exemplifies the strength of international collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges, with NASA handling high-tech instrumentation and ISRO responsible for the satellite bus and launch.
- Robust Testing: In 2023, NISAR successfully completed rigorous testing in space-like conditions in Bengaluru, demonstrating its reliability in extreme environments.
What is the NISAR Mission?
- NISAR has been built by space agencies of the US and India under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
- It is expected to be launched in January 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre into a near-polar orbit.
- The satellite will operate for a minimum of three years.
- It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory.
- NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days.
Features
- It is a 2,800 kilograms satellite consisting of both L-band and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments, which makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
- While NASA has provided the L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder to store data, and a payload data subsystem, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has provided the S-band radar, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch system and spacecraft.
- S band radars operate on a wavelength of 8-15 cm and a frequency of 2-4 GHz. Because of the wavelength and frequency, they are not easily attenuated. This makes them useful for near and far range weather observation.
- It has a 39-foot stationary antenna reflector, made of a gold-plated wire mesh; the reflector will be used to focus “the radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure.
- By using SAR, NISAR will produce high-resolution images. SAR is capable of penetrating clouds and can collect data day and night regardless of the weather conditions.
- NASA requires the L-band radar for its global science operations for at least three years. Meanwhile, ISRO will utilize the S-band radar for a minimum of five years.
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