'12-day warning?': NASA-ISRO unleash NISAR, the satellite that sees Earth's secrets

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Earth Insights

The NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite promises unprecedented monitoring of Earth’s land, ice, and vegetation shifts, detecting subtle movements with precision down to fractions of an inch.

Dual Radar

NISAR's groundbreaking L-band and S-band radars from NASA and ISRO will penetrate clouds and vegetation, offering real-time, around-the-clock data on Earth’s surface changes.

Disaster Alerts

By tracking geological shifts, NISAR will pinpoint areas at risk of earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, revolutionizing global disaster preparedness.

Seismic Focus

NISAR data will identify stressed fault lines, particularly in seismic zones like the Himalayas and California, aiding researchers in assessing earthquake-prone regions.

Volcano Monitoring

The satellite will observe surface bulging and sinking caused by magma movement, providing critical insights into volcanic activity and potential eruptions.

Infrastructure Safety

Resource managers will use NISAR data to monitor essential structures like levees and aqueducts, detecting early damage and ensuring timely repairs.

Global Coverage

Scanning nearly all land and ice every 12 days, NISAR will create comprehensive datasets, offering scientists a clear, dynamic picture of Earth’s surface evolution.

Himalayan Risks

ISRO’s Sreejith K M highlighted NISAR’s role in mapping seismic hazards in the Himalayas, a region with a history of catastrophic earthquakes.

International Effort

The NASA-ISRO collaboration exemplifies global partnerships, combining advanced tech from NASA’s JPL and ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre for a landmark mission.