NASA and ISRO’s joint mission, NISAR, has successfully unfolded its 39-foot antenna reflector in orbit.
Science Aug 18 2025
Author: Srishti MS Image Credits:Social media platform X
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Why It Matters
This is the largest antenna reflector ever deployed on a NASA mission, built to monitor Earth with unmatched precision.
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How It Works
* Folded like an umbrella during launch
* A 30-foot boom extended first
* On August 15, the reflector fully unfurled into place
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What NISAR Will See
The satellite will monitor:
* Ice sheets and glaciers
* Land shifts from earthquakes and volcanoes
* Landslides and ecosystem changes
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The Science Powerhouse
NISAR carries two radar systems:
* L-band, able to see through forests and clouds
* S-band, sensitive to snow and light vegetation
They capture sharp images of Earth’s surface.
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Like a Camera Lens
Synthetic Aperture Radar works like a powerful lens, producing detailed images by combining radar signals. It can detect surface changes down to fractions of an inch.
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A Global Collaboration
NISAR is a NASA–ISRO partnership, blending decades of radar innovation with India’s launch and spacecraft expertise.
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Why It’s Important
The data will support disaster response, agriculture and food security, infrastructure monitoring, and climate research.
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Looking Ahead
By late fall 2025, NISAR will begin delivering 3D views of Earth’s changing surface with unprecedented clarity.