Question : Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite

(a) whether NASA and ISRO are working together to develop a synthetic aperture radar satellite to observe and measure ecosystem disturbances, icesheet collapses and natural hazards; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED QUESTION NO.252 REGARDING “SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR SATELLITE” ASKED BY SHRI B VINOD KUMAR FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 03, 2016.
(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) ISRO and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)/ NASA are jointly working on the development of Dual Frequency (L & S band) Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging Satellite named as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR). The L-band SAR is being developed by JPL/ NASA, while ISRO is developing S-band SAR. The L & S band microwave data obtained from this satellite will be useful for variety of application, which include natural resources mapping & monitoring; estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle; assessing soil moisture; monitoring of floods and oil slicks; coastal erosion, coastline changes & variation of winds in coastal waters; assessment of mangroves; surface deformation studies, ice sheet collapses & dynamics etc. The joint science observation plan has been documented with the participation of Indian and American scientists. The core science teams of both sides meet every six months to discuss observation requirements for various applications.

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