Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
NISAR satellite by NASA and ISRO will track Earth's constant surface shifts, monitoring critical movements of land, ice, and vegetation globally—keeping an eye on both natural and human-induced changes.
Targeted for early 2025 launch, NISAR can detect surface changes down to fractions of an inch, making it an essential tool for spotting subtle land shifts before disasters strike.
Equipped with L-band and S-band radars from NASA and ISRO, NISAR can capture detailed measurements day or night, penetrating clouds and dense vegetation to reveal ground movements.
While NISAR can’t predict earthquakes, its data will highlight zones prone to major quakes, helping researchers like Caltech's Mark Simons assess global fault dynamics and earthquake risks.
NISAR will track surface bulges and dips around volcanoes, alerting researchers to magma shifts and possible eruptions—a new lens into volcanic activity worldwide.
With an eye on the volatile Himalayan plate boundary, ISRO’s Sreejith K M expects NISAR to offer unparalleled insight into seismic risks in this quake-prone region.
By providing continuous readings, NISAR will monitor infrastructure stability, like levees and dams, aiding resource managers in targeting at-risk areas before they fail.
After major quakes, NISAR can pinpoint damaged levee sections remotely, helping authorities prioritize repairs and potentially saving significant recovery costs.
NISAR, NASA and ISRO’s first joint satellite, combines advanced radar technologies to deepen our understanding of Earth’s surface dynamics—a leap in global disaster preparedness.