The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) project is a collaborative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). NISAR represents a groundbreaking venture in Earth observation, leveraging advanced radar technology to provide unprecedented insights into the dynamics of the planet’s surface.

At its core, NISAR is designed to deliver high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities, making it a powerful tool for monitoring and studying various Earth processes. The mission aims to enhance our understanding of critical phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, subsidence, and other geophysical events. By employing dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar, NISAR will generate precise measurements of surface deformations, facilitating comprehensive studies of Earth’s changing landscapes.

The project’s significance lies not only in its technological prowess but also in its global impact. NISAR is expected to contribute significantly to climate research, ecosystem monitoring, and disaster management. The collaboration between NASA and ISRO underscores the international scientific community’s commitment to advancing our knowledge of Earth and addressing global challenges collaboratively.

As NISAR progresses towards its anticipated launch, the project stands as a testament to the cooperative spirit of space exploration, bringing together the expertise of two leading space agencies. Through its cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary applications, NISAR promises to be a valuable asset for scientists, researchers, and policymakers alike, fostering a deeper understanding of our planet’s dynamic processes.

The NISAR satellite has two fully capable synthetic aperture radar instruments (24 cm wavelength L-SAR and 10 cm wavelength S-SAR).

NISAR Instrumentation

Planned Launch Date	2025
Orbit Altitude	747 km
Orbit Inclination	98.4º
Repeat Cycle	12 days
Time of Nodal Crossing	6 AM / 6 PM
Orbit Control	< 500m
Pointing Control	< 273 arcsec
Pointing	Left (south)
L/S Duty	> 50% / 10%
Baseline Mission Duration	3 years
Consumables	5 years
Data and Product Access	Free and open
Wavelength	L-band: 24 cm
Wavelength	S-band: 9 cm
SAR Resolution	3-10 m mode-dependent

SAR Modes

 

The L-band SAR is capable of 242-kilometer swaths with 7-meter resolution along-track (the direction of travel) and 2- to 8-m resolution cross-track, depending on the viewing mode. This radar comprises 24 L-band transmit/receive array elements in 2 rows, 12 per polarization.

 

The 12cm wavelength S-band SAR supplied by ISRO is the secondary radar and comprises 48 S-band transmit/receive array elements in 2 rows, 24 per polarization.

 

NASA provides a high-capacity solid-state recorder (approximately 9 Tbits at end of life), GPS, 3.5 Gbps Ka-band telecom system, and an engineering payload to coordinate an imaging swath greater than 150 miles (240 km). This design permits complete global coverage every 12-days,