NISAR (satellite)
Artist's concept of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite. | |
| Names | NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar NISAR |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Radar imaging |
| Operator | NASA / ISRO |
| Website | nisar www |
| Mission duration | 3 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | NISAR |
| Bus | I-3K |
| Manufacturer | NASA / ISRO |
| Launch mass | 2,800 kg (6,200 lb) |
| Power | 6,500 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | July 2025 (planned) |
| Rocket | GSLV F16 (4 meter fairing) |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Contractor | ISRO |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Altitude | 747 km (464 mi) |
| Perigee altitude | 747 km (464 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 747 km (464 mi) |
| Inclination | 98.5° |
| Transponders | |
| Band | S-band L-band |
| Instruments | |
| L-band (24-cm wavelength) Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar S-band (12-cm wavelength) Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar | |
NISAR mission logo | |
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on an Earth observation satellite in 2025. It will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies. It will be used for remote sensing, to observe and understand natural processes on Earth. For example, its left-facing instruments will study the Antarctic cryosphere. With a total cost estimated at US$1.5 billion, NISAR is likely to be the world's most expensive Earth-imaging satellite.