The radar antenna reflector for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission arrived at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Spacecraft Integration and Test Facility in Bengaluru this week.
After arriving in Bengaluru on Tuesday by a NASA C-130 cargo aircraft, the reflector was taken to the ISRO Spacecraft Integration and Test Establishment for its re-integration with the NISAR spacecraft in preparation for the test, NASA said.
The satellite, a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO to observe Earth, is scheduled to launch in early 2025 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Major space agencies will coordinate to set an official launch preparation date for this. ,
Role of radar antenna reflector
The drum-shaped radar antenna reflector, measuring approximately 39 feet (12 m) across, is one of NASA’s contributions to the joint mission. It is specifically designed to help focus microwave signals transmitted and received from the Earth’s surface. This will enable NISAR to scan almost all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days to collect scientific data.
This reflector was first deployed at a special facility in California because engineers applied reflective tape over it, in addition to taking other precautionary measures to reduce temperature rise.
Nisar Mission
The joint NISAR mission aims to revolutionize the understanding of the planet.
NISAR’s key observations will help researchers around the world gain unprecedented information about changes in the Earth’s surface, including ice sheets, sea ice and glaciers.
Additionally, it will monitor changes in forest and wetland ecosystems, in addition to tracking activity and deformation of the crust such as landslides, earthquakes as well as volcanic activity.
NISAR’s rapid coverage is intended to provide multiple opportunities for disaster response. It will generate data to help mitigate and assess damage, providing observations before and after disasters in short time frames.
For the mission, NASA provided the L-band SAR payload system, while ISRO supplied the S-band SAR payload. The Indian space agency had earlier said that both these SAR systems will help in using larger size common unfurl capable reflector antenna.
Additionally, NASA is also providing engineering payloads for the mission.
