An earth-observation satellite tv for pc collectively developed by NASA and ISRO that can assist research Earth’s land and ice surfaces in larger element is all set to be shipped to India later this month for a attainable launch in September. ALSO READ: Jupiter turns into planet with most moons with 12 newly found
ISRO Chairman S Somanath visited NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) within the US state of California on Friday to supervise the ultimate electrical testing of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite tv for pc earlier than being shipped to India.
“This mission will be a powerful demonstration of the capability of radar as a science tool and help us study Earth’s dynamic land and ice surfaces in greater detail than ever before,” Somanath mentioned on the formal send-off ceremony organised on the JPL which was attended by senior scientists from the 2 area companies.
Later this month, the SUV-size payload will probably be moved right into a particular cargo container for a 14,000-kilometer flight to the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. ALSO READ: Anand Mahindra hails ISRO after British area mission’s failure
ISRO and NASA joined arms in 2014 to construct the two,800 kg satellite tv for pc. In March 2021, ISRO despatched its S-Band SAR payload developed in India to NASA for integration with the L-Band payload constructed by JPL.
“This marks an important milestone in our shared journey to better understand planet Earth and our changing climate. NISAR will provide critical information on Earth’s crust, ice sheets, and ecosystems,” JPL Director Laurie Leshin mentioned.
Somanath mentioned that the NISAR spacecraft will probably be built-in into the satellite tv for pc bus on the U R Rao Satellite Centre for launch throughout the subsequent yr. ALSO READ: What Chinese ‘spy’ balloons can do this satellites cannot. Experts reveal
“This is one of the most complex satellites. The elements that are built by JPL are excellent,” Somanath mentioned.
The occasion at JPL was marked by the ceremonial breaking of coconuts in entrance of a scale mannequin of the satellite tv for pc by NISAR venture heads of NASA and ISRO Phil Barela and C V Shrikant respectively.
The JPL Director additionally introduced the ISRO delegation with a jar of JPL fortunate peanuts to be eaten through the launch of the satellite tv for pc.
NISAR will collect radar knowledge with a drum-shaped reflector antenna virtually 12 meters in diameter. It will use a signal-processing approach referred to as interferometric artificial aperture radar, or InSAR, to watch modifications in Earth’s land and ice surfaces all the way down to fractions of an inch.
The satellite tv for pc will assist researchers detect slow-moving variations of a land floor that may precede earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.
Data about such actions might assist communities put together for pure hazards such because the Joshimath land subsidence.
Measurements of melting sea ice and ice sheets will enhance understanding of the tempo and impacts of local weather change, together with sea degree rise.
Over the course of its three-year prime mission, the satellite tv for pc will observe practically all the planet each 12 days, making observations day and evening, in all climate circumstances.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
