17 May 2024 NISAR Satellite

THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF “NISAR Satellite“. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.

Why in the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) Satellite will be capable of observing Earth’s tectonic shifts with remarkable accuracy, down to the centimetre. This advanced capability is vital for studying tectonic activities and deepening our understanding of Earth’s natural phenomena and environmental transformations.

Key Specification of NISAR Satellite

• Dual-Band Radar Frequencies: NISAR is equipped with both L-band and S-band radar frequencies, enabling it to precisely monitor and measure the Earth’s surface under all weather conditions, day and night.
• Large Antenna: The satellite has a large deployable antenna that spans 12 meters in diameter, significantly improving its capability to capture high-resolution radar images.
• Fast Coverage: NISAR is engineered to scan the entire Earth every 12 days, allowing it to track and analyse temporal environmental changes, such as vegetation shifts, ice dynamics, and other vital parameters.
• Dynamic Monitoring Capabilities: The satellite will observe Earth’s ecosystems and dynamics, including forest biomass, ice sheet movements, and natural hazards like earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

How will NISAR Satellite data be used to study the Tectonics Movement?

• Monitoring Ground Deformations: The NISAR Satellite will deliver precise measurements of ground deformations resulting from tectonic activities. By examining these changes over time, scientists can gain insights into the patterns and rates of tectonic movements across various regions.
• Detecting Fault Movements: The satellite’s data will facilitate detecting fault movements and accurately mapping fault lines. This information is essential for evaluating seismic hazards and understanding areas susceptible to earthquakes.
• Mapping Surface Displacements: NISAR will provide data to map surface displacements caused by tectonic activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These maps are critical for identifying at-risk areas and analysing the consequences of geological events.
• Studying Earthquake Precursors: The satellite’s data can assist in studying earthquake precursors by monitoring subtle ground movements with centimetre-level accuracy. Variations in ground deformation patterns detected by NISAR may offer clues about stress build-up along fault lines before an earthquake.

Benefits of studying Tectonics Movements by NISAR Satellite

• Insights into Geological Processes: By examining tectonic movements, the satellite provides valuable insights into geological phenomena such as plate tectonics, fault movements, and seismic events. This information deepens our understanding of Earth’s geology and aids in evaluating geological hazards.
• Enhanced Seismic Risk Assessment: NISAR’s detailed data on tectonic activities improves seismic risk assessment, facilitating better preparedness and mitigation strategies for earthquake-prone regions.
• Monitoring Environmental Changes: The satellite’s observations of tectonic movements enable the monitoring of environmental changes related to geological activities. This includes tracking land deformations, assessing earthquake impacts on landscapes, and understanding the interaction between tectonics and the environment.
• Water Resource Management: Data from NISAR on tectonic movements supports water resource management by evaluating water stress, monitoring water bodies, and studying tectonic impacts on water availability. This information is crucial for sustainable water resource planning.
• Climate Change Studies: NISAR’s precise measurements of tectonic plate movements contribute to climate change research by offering insights into Earth’s changing surface dynamics. This data helps in understanding how climate change affects geological processes.
• Agricultural and Water-related Observations: The satellite’s data enables detailed observations of agricultural changes, water stress patterns, and desertification processes linked to tectonic movements. This information is vital for agricultural planning, water management, and environmental conservation efforts.
• Disaster preparedness: Data from NISAR on tectonic activities enables efficient allocation of resources for disaster response. Governments and relief organisations can utilise this information to prioritise high-risk areas, allocate emergency supplies and personnel appropriately, and enhance the efficiency of disaster response efforts during earthquakes or related events.

Joint Space collaboration between ISRO and other Space Agency

• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) Mission: This collaborative mission aims to create a radar satellite that will provide detailed insights into Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea level rise, groundwater, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides.
• Chandrayaan-1: ISRO’s first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1, featured international payloads and exemplified international cooperation. It received numerous national and international accolades and was crucial in the ISRO-NASA discovery of water on the Moon.
• Megha-Tropiques: Launched in 2011, this Indo-French satellite mission studies the tropical atmosphere, cyclones, and other weather phenomena. The data products from this satellite are accessible to the international scientific community.
• SARAL: A joint mission with France, launched in 2013, SARAL (Satellite for ALTIKA and ARGOS), focuses on ocean studies using altimetry. The altimeter data are currently available to the global scientific community.
• TRISHNA: ISRO and CNES (French space agency) have completed the feasibility study for an Earth observation satellite mission with thermal infrared capabilities named TRISHNA, under Indo-French cooperation.
• Joint Mission to the International Space Station: NASA and ISRO have agreed on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024, further strengthening their collaboration in space exploration.

Government efforts to promote greater Space Collaboration

Domestic Collaboration

• Private Sector Participation: In June 2020, the government ended ISRO’s exclusive control over space activities, allowing private companies to engage in comprehensive space projects.
• Establishing IN-SPACe: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was established to facilitate and promote private sector involvement in space activities.
• Access to ISRO Facilities: The government plans to provide private industry with access to ISRO’s space infrastructure, including testing facilities, tracking and telemetry systems, launch pads, and laboratories, through a business-friendly framework.
• MoUs for Innovation and Venture Development: ISRO signed a memorandum of understanding with Social Alpha to launch the SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN), India’s first dedicated platform for fostering innovation and venture development within the space entrepreneurial ecosystem.

International Collaboration

• NASA-ISRO Joint Working Group on Human Spaceflight: NASA and ISRO have created a joint working group to explore cooperation in areas such as radiation impact studies, micrometeorite studies, and orbital debris shield studies.
• Discussions on Space Exploration Opportunities: NASA and ISRO have engaged in discussions about potential future collaborations in space exploration, including possible joint missions to the Moon and beyond.
• Astronaut Training for the Gaganyaan Program: Under ISRO’s Gaganyaan program, India and the US are exploring cooperation in astronaut training, life support systems, and radiation shielding solutions.

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Prelims Based Question

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding NISAR Satellite:

1. NISAR Satellite is an Earth Observation satellite developed with a joint collaboration between ISRO and NASA.
2. It’s a Low Earth observatory satellite.

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a). 1 Only

(b). 2 Only

(c). Both 1 and 2

(d). Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: C

Mains Based Question

Q1. What are the primary benefits of international space collaborations, such as those between ISRO and other space agencies, in advancing global space exploration and research?

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Vikas