India and NASA launch 'first-of-its-kind' satellite

Indian and U.S. space agencies have collaborated to launch a groundbreaking satellite designed to meticulously observe Earth, effectively identifying and reporting even the slightest alterations in land, sea, and ice sheets. The data collected from this joint mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA will aid not only the two nations but also contribute to global disaster preparedness and response. 

Nasa calls Nisar, their newest satellite, the 'most sophisticated radar we've ever built.'

The 2,392 kg NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) lifted off at 5:40 PM India time (12:10 PM GMT) on Wednesday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in southern India. This launch follows closely on the heels of the Axiom-4 mission, marking the first time an Indian astronaut has journeyed to the International Space Station.

According to NASA, which already has over two dozen observation satellites in orbit, NISAR is the "most sophisticated radar we've ever built." It is equipped to detect "the minutest of changes anywhere in the world." This pioneering satellite is unique in its ability to monitor Earth using two distinct radar frequencies—NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band. NISAR will operate in a "sun-synchronous polar orbit," allowing it to revisit the same regions of Earth at regular intervals, as explained by former NASA scientist Mila Mitra. Both NASA and ISRO anticipate that NISAR will return to the same location every 12 days, capable of identifying changes in land, ice, or coastal regions as small as a few centimeters, according to Ms. Mitra.

Repeated scans will yield extensive data, which will assist NASA and ISRO ground stations in enhancing disaster preparedness and monitoring climate change effects. Scientists emphasize that the Earth’s surface is in a constant state of flux due to both natural events and human activities. Even minor changes can have significant impacts. "Some changes occur gradually, while others happen suddenly; some are minor, and others are more nuanced," noted Karen St. Germain, NASA's director of Earth Sciences, who is currently in India for the launch, during a pre-launch press conference. "With NISAR, we'll be able to observe early signs of natural hazards like earthquakes, landslides, and volcanoes; monitor land subsidence and swelling, deformations, and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica; as well as detect forest fires. Additionally, we will identify human-induced land changes due to farming and infrastructure initiatives, such as the construction of buildings and bridges."

The joint mission follows weeks after Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla (bottom row, third from left) visited the ISS

The satellite will take 90 days to fully deploy and will begin data collection once all system tests are completed. This $1.5 billion joint mission, years in the making, incorporates India's payload, rocket, and launch facilities. St. Germain emphasized its uniqueness, noting that it was developed by scientists who were on opposite sides of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. ISRO chairman V. Narayanan shared with NDTV that this "life-saving satellite" symbolizes India's growing leadership in space. Referring to Wednesday's launch, he remarked, "This marks yet another significant day for India." Indian Science Minister Jitendra Singh described the mission as a pivotal moment in India-US space collaboration and an enhancement to ISRO’s international partnerships. "NISAR is more than just a satellite; it represents India's scientific handshake with the globe," he stated.

This joint mission follows closely after astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla journeyed to the International Space Station as part of the AX-4 mission, led by former NASA veteran Peggy Whitson. India has recently made impressive advancements in its space program. In August 2023, the nation achieved a milestone by becoming the first to land its Moon mission in the lunar south pole region. Last year, it also launched its inaugural solar observation mission. ISRO has unveiled plans to conduct Gaganyaan, the country’s first human space flight, in 2027, and aims to establish a space station by 2035, with aspirations to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.