Satellite NISAR set to provide early warnings for potential natural calamities, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was successfully launched on July 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, located on Sriharikota island, southern India. The launch took place at 17:40 local time (14:10 Spanish peninsula time).

The U.S. representative at the Sriharikota control center described the Earth science mission as unique and a testament to the capabilities of the two nations. NASA celebrated the launch, describing the NISAR satellite as "more than good, great."

The NISAR satellite, weighing nearly three tons, was carried by the GSLV-F16 rocket. Upon confirmation of separation, NASA announced that its Earth observation fleet "has just added NISAR." The satellite was placed in a heliosynchronous orbit at an altitude of about 743 kilometers.

The main person responsible for the NISAR project, the world's most expensive earth observation satellite, is NASA in collaboration with ISRO. The NISAR satellite is designed for detailed Earth observation and anticipation of natural disasters. It is the first radar satellite to map Earth during the 24 hours of the day, using L and S bands simultaneously.

NISAR will scan almost the entire surface of the planet every 12 days and will begin its scientific phase about three months after launch. The satellite will serve to monitor glaciers, ecosystems, soil moisture, and coastal changes.

Indian Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh called the launch a "turning point" in managing disasters such as cyclones or floods. The NISAR mission allows for the detection of slight movements in the Earth's crust, key to anticipating natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.

Data from NISAR will be available free of charge to institutions worldwide. The global scientific community eagerly awaits the data generated by NISAR, as per the statement of ISRO President Narayanan.

Earth observation satellites are indispensable tools for understanding and addressing climate change, providing critical data that drives research, policy formulation, and public awareness. The NISAR satellite marks a new milestone in India-U.S. space cooperation.

The ISRO reported that each stage of the launch was precise. The launch occurred without a hitch, and the satellite is now operational, ready to begin its mission of Earth observation and disaster prediction.

Satellite NISAR set to provide early warnings for potential natural calamities, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions