ISRO, NASA to jointly launch satellite to study earthquakes and their patterns

In ISRO and NASA are jointly operated mission NISAR a satellite that helps studying earthquake and its patterns will be launched.

• The satellite is called NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR and is designed to make observations and measurements of ecosystem disturbance, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as tsunami, volcanoes and landslides.

The objectives of NISAR mission:

• Explore newer application areas using L and S band microwave data, especially in natural resources mapping & monitoring.
• Estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle,
• Assessing soil moisture,
• Design, Develop and launch a Dual frequency, Radar Imaging Satellite.
• Monitoring of floods and oil slicks,
• Coastal erosion, coastline changes and variation of winds
• Assessment of mangroves,
• Face deformation studies due to seismic activities etc.

Earthquake cannot be predicted but can advise people where it has occurred ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar said, and ISRO is hoping to launch it by 2020-21, the project will not only help in understanding the seismic activity, but also help in monitoring agricultural activities in India.

• ISRO will provide the S-Band and the payload will be integrated at NASA and then the payload comes back at Bangalore.

NISAR Mission:

• The Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar mission is a joint intitatie of Indian and American space organisations ISRO and NASA respectively.
• The cost of ISRO’s work share, which is likely to be Rs 788Crore.