NISAR Mission (NASA–ISRO): A Joint Earth Observation Project.

Recent Update

• The NISAR satellite has reached Sriharikota (ISRO’s launch site) and is being prepared for launch.
• This is a major Indo-US collaboration under the Earth observation and climate monitoring domain.

What is NISAR?

Key Objectives

• Provide high-resolution, day–night, all-weather imaging of Earth.
• Monitor:
  • Deforestation and forest biomass
  • Glacier melt and ice mass
  • Agriculture and soil moisture
  • Urban expansion and coastal erosion
  • Earthquakes, landslides, and other disasters

Technical Highlights

NASA–ISRO Collaboration

• NASA: Responsible for L-band radar, satellite structure, launch integration.
• ISRO: Responsible for S-band radar, satellite assembly, and launch.
• Part of the larger US–India Civil Space Cooperation initiatives.

Why it Matters for India?

• Helps predict and manage natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes).
• Supports climate change monitoring (especially Himalayan glaciers & carbon sinks).
• Useful in agriculture mapping, crop yield estimation, and groundwater studies.
• Boosts India’s space diplomacy and indigenous Earth-science capabilities.

GS Paper Linkages

Mains Practice Question

“Discuss the significance of the NASA–ISRO NISAR mission in enhancing India’s disaster preparedness and environmental monitoring capabilities.” (10 marks).