NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are joining forces to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, slated to become a game-changer in monitoring Earth’s cryosphere – the frozen surfaces of land and ice. Set to launch in 2024 from southern India, NISAR will offer unparalleled observations, measuring key Earth vital signs related to the health of wetlands, ground deformation caused by volcanoes, and the dynamics of land and sea ice.
NISAR’s unique capabilities lie in its ability to observe nearly all of the planet’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. This comprehensive coverage will be facilitated by two radar systems: an L-band system with a 10-inch wavelength and an S-band system with a 4-inch wavelength. The L-band is adept at penetrating snow, aiding scientists in tracking ice motion beneath, while the S-band is highly sensitive to snow moisture, crucial for detecting melting. Both radar signals can penetrate clouds and darkness, ensuring observations during polar winter nights.
One of NISAR’s primary focuses will be on Earth’s ice- and snow-covered environments, providing detailed insights into the motion and deformation of the cryosphere. Researchers are particularly interested in decoding the intricate processes driving changes in the ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland, as well as in mountain glaciers and sea ice across the globe.
Antarctica’s ice sheets, which hold the largest reservoir of frozen fresh water on Earth, are of paramount importance in sea level rise projections. The satellite’s increased coverage will be instrumental in studying the motion of ice flowing from central Antarctica’s high elevations toward the sea. Moreover, NISAR will enable scientists to closely examine the interaction between ice and ocean, especially in regions where ice sheets sit on ground below sea level, potentially leading to increased melting and instability.
The satellite’s observations will extend to Earth’s mountain glaciers, crucial contributors to rising sea levels. Climate-induced changes in freezing and thawing patterns can impact downstream water supplies, making NISAR a valuable tool for monitoring the water stored in glacial lakes, particularly in the Himalayas. Additionally, the satellite’s enhanced all-weather capabilities will provide a continuous and comprehensive dataset, overcoming challenges posed by clouds in the Himalayan region.
Beyond land, NISAR will capture the movement and extent of sea ice in both hemispheres. With an extensive coverage of the Southern Ocean, the satellite aims to provide new insights into Antarctic sea ice dynamics, which have shown unexpected changes in recent years, reaching a record low in 2023.
NISAR is a testament to international collaboration, representing the first joint effort between NASA and ISRO in hardware development for an Earth-observing mission. This groundbreaking mission is expected to deepen our understanding of Earth’s cryosphere, offering crucial data for addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Edited by Dr. Brijendra Kumar Mishra, (Disaster Risk Reduction Expert)
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