The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with NASA, is preparing to launch a high-tech satellite that will provide unprecedented insight into the movements of Earth’s surface. This new mission, named NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), will help humans in tracking minute changes in the planet’s land and ice-covered areas with remarkable precision, detecting changes to the planet’s vegetation.
Developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ISRO, NISAR will use advanced radar technology to monitor global surface motion every 12 days. This frequent observation will help researchers better understand ongoing changes to the Earth’s glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, and vegetation. The satellite is equipped with two types of radar systems — an L-band that is developed by NASA and an S-band developed by ISRO — enabling a high level of accuracy in its measurements.
One of NISAR’s key advantages is its ability to collect data both day and night, making it highly effective in all light conditions. The L-band radar is particularly powerful as it can penetrate dense cloud cover and even see through thick vegetation to measure subtle movements in the ground beneath.
While NISAR will not be able to directly predict earthquakes, it will provide crucial data to identify regions that are most vulnerable to seismic activity. For example, in places like California, researchers can use the satellite’s detailed measurements to pinpoint areas at higher risk of earthquakes. Additionally, the satellite could help detect previously unmonitored earthquake-prone zones.
From ISRO’s perspective, one of the satellite’s most important applications will be monitoring the Himalayan plate boundary, a region that has seen major earthquakes in the past. According to Sreejith K M, ISRO’s solid Earth science lead for NISAR at the Space Applications Center in Ahmedabad, the satellite will offer unprecedented data on the seismic hazards in this critical area.
NISAR will also play an important role in the study of volcanoes. By tracking subtle shifts in land movement, it could provide early warnings of volcanic activity, helping researchers to better understand the deformities that may signal an impending eruption. Moreover, the satellite will monitor infrastructure like dams, levees, and aqueducts, helping to assess the impact of earthquakes and other natural events on these critical structures.
