NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a groundbreaking satellite mission that represents a collaboration between NASA and ISRO. Its primary objective is to monitor the changing landscapes of Earth and assess the impacts of climate change.
NISAR will utilize two distinct synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems to scan the Earth's surface. The L-band SAR is being developed by NASA, while ISRO is responsible for the S-band SAR. Together, these systems will provide comprehensive observations of the planet using varying wavelengths.
The main goal of the NISAR mission is to monitor changes in Earth's landscapes over time. A significant focus will be on forests and wetlands, which are crucial carbon sinks. Understanding their role in carbon sequestration and the effects of human activities on these areas is essential.
NISAR is designed to provide scans of all of Earth's land and ice surfaces every 12 days. This frequent monitoring will ensure up-to-date data is available regarding the changes occurring on the Earth's surface.
Forests and wetlands play a vital role in the NISAR mission as they are significant carbon sinks. Understanding how these ecosystems are impacted by human activities, such as agriculture and urbanization, is crucial for evaluating their capacity to store carbon dioxide.
The NISAR mission will greatly enhance our understanding of carbon sources and sinks from terrestrial ecosystems, particularly forests. This data is invaluable for formulating strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
NISAR is anticipated to launch in early 2024 from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Center, located in southern India.
This mission signifies the first instance of cooperation between the U.S. and India in developing hardware for an Earth-observing endeavor, marking a significant advancement in international space collaboration.
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