NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. This innovative project represents a collaboration between ISRO of India and NASA of the United States. The primary goal of NISAR is to utilize advanced radar imaging technology to monitor significant changes occurring on the Earth's surface.
The NISAR mission is crucial as it will deliver highly detailed data regarding Earth's land, ice, forests, and various geological activities. Scientists will be able to track vital phenomena such as glacier retreat, deforestation, crop growth, landslides, and significant natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes. Additionally, NISAR will provide invaluable insights into understanding climate change.
The launch of NISAR is anticipated in June 2025, although the precise date has yet to be announced. The satellite will be propelled into space using India’s GSLV rocket.
Originally, the launch was scheduled for early 2024, but it faced delays due to complications encountered during testing. A critical 12-metre antenna required enhancements, necessitating the satellite to return to the United States for further upgrades.
While most components of NISAR were assembled in the United States, certain parts, including one radar, were shipped from India. These components arrived in Bengaluru in 2023 for final testing.
NISAR boasts the ability to detect alterations as minute as one centimetre on the Earth’s surface over time. Utilizing radar technology, it will repeatedly scan the same area, thus enabling the capture of changes in glaciers, forests, and land movements.
The Axiom-4 mission refers to a private space initiative aimed at the International Space Station, where Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will participate. This mission will mark him as the second Indian to venture into space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma.
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