India and U.S. Launch Earth’s Ultimate Watchdog

In a major milestone for international space collaboration, India and the United States are set to launch a groundbreaking Earth-observation satellite designed to monitor the planet with exceptional precision.

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is scheduled for liftoff from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in southern India at 17:40 IST (12:10 GMT) on Wednesday.

Jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA, the nearly 2,400 kg satellite is expected to revolutionize the way scientists observe land, ocean, and ice dynamics.

Officials from both agencies say the satellite will play a critical role in helping nations prepare for natural disasters and study the effects of climate change.

Following closely after the Axiom-4 mission, which marked the first time an Indian astronaut reached the International Space Station, NISAR represents another leap forward in India’s growing prominence in the space sector.

NASA describes NISAR as its most advanced radar satellite to date, capable of detecting extremely subtle changes in the Earth’s surface.

According to the agency, it will be the first satellite in orbit to use two distinct radar frequencies, NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band, making it a “first-of-its-kind” mission.

Former NASA scientist Mila Mitra explained that the satellite will be placed into a sun-synchronous polar orbit.

According to him, this will allow it to pass over the same locations on Earth at consistent intervals.

This regular coverage will enable the satellite to detect even centimeter-level changes to terrain, coastlines, and glaciers every 12 days.

These repeat observations will provide a wealth of data to researchers and emergency response teams.

According to Mitra, the insights gained will be crucial for disaster preparedness, environmental monitoring, and long-term climate research.

The Earth’s surface is in a state of constant flux, shaped by both natural phenomena and human activity.

These changes, however minor, can have far-reaching implications.

“Some changes unfold gradually, others happen abruptly.

“Some are easily visible while others are barely noticeable,” said Dr. Karen St. Germain, Director of NASA’s Earth Sciences Division.

His comments came during a pre-launch briefing in India.

Dr. St. Germain added that NISAR will allow scientists to monitor early warning signs of natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.

The satellite will also help detect land deformation, glacier melt in polar regions, forest fires, and even human-driven changes like urban development and large-scale farming.

Once deployed in orbit, the satellite will undergo a three-month commissioning phase during which all onboard systems will be tested before data collection begins in full.

The mission, with an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, has been in development for over ten years.

It draws on the strengths of both agencies, with ISRO providing the launch vehicle, payload integration, and launch site, and NASA contributing advanced radar systems and instrumentation.

Highlighting the collaborative effort, Dr. St. Germain noted that much of the satellite’s construction took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, engineers and scientists working together from opposite ends of the globe.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan emphasized the mission’s significance in an interview with Indian media.

He called NISAR a “life-saving satellite” and a testament to India’s growing leadership in space technology.

“It’s going to be another proud moment for the country,” he said.

Indian Science Minister Jitendra Singh echoed the sentiment, describing NISAR as a landmark in India-U.S. space cooperation.

“This is more than just a scientific mission, it’s India’s handshake with the world,” he said.

The launch follows a string of impressive achievements by ISRO.

In August 2023, India became the first nation to land a mission on the Moon’s south pole.

The agency has also launched its first solar observatory and announced plans for a series of ambitious missions, including Gaganyaan, India’s first crewed spaceflight, slated for 2027.

Long-term goals include establishing a space station by 2035 and sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

With NISAR poised to deliver critical insights into Earth’s ever-changing environment, the mission marks a significant step forward in using space technology for global good.

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