NASA ISRO Joint Satellite Mission Not For Surveillance Purposes

Space News ,India :- ISRO, based in Bengaluru, has collaborated with NASA for a joint satellite mission, but it's important to note that this mission is not for surveillance purposes. Instead, the focus is on studying Earth, particularly in relation to sustainability and the impact of climate change. The chief of ISRO, S Somanath, emphasized this during a press conference following the successful launch of the GSLV-F14 INSAT-3DS satellite.

The upcoming mission, known as NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), involves the development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite. Somanath highlighted that this satellite is significant in terms of its configuration and capability, with advancements in payload capability and volume. The mission aims to contribute valuable data for understanding and addressing environmental changes on Earth.

Contrary to some misconceptions, Somanath clarified that NISAR is not a surveillance satellite. It is designed for specific applications, featuring both 'L' band and 'S' band radars. The 'S' band radar is made in India, while the 'L' band radar is made in the US. Importantly, the data collected by NISAR will be shared between the US and India, emphasizing its non-surveillance nature.

The joint mission has a multifaceted focus, including high-precision imaging of the Earth's surface for 12-14 days. NISAR's capabilities extend to measuring water resources, assessing agriculture, monitoring greenery coverage, and penetrating the Earth's surface to study water availability in arid areas. Overall, the primary focus of NISAR is on contributing valuable insights into sustainability, water resources, environmental changes, and agriculture, particularly in the context of Earth's evolving climate.