9621 Agnes Crossing, Lake Suzanneview, New Mexico Island 84604-9295.
NASA and ISRO’s NISAR satellite aims to revolutionize our understanding of Earth’s surface movements through frequent global scanning. The satellite will improve the prediction of earthquakes and volcanic
NASA and ISRO’s NISAR satellite aims to revolutionize our understanding of Earth’s surface movements through frequent global scanning. The satellite will improve the prediction of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions by detecting small land and ice movements and monitor the stability of infrastructure in ways not previously possible, saving significant time and resources for disaster response.
Although we often don’t realize it, the Earth’s surface is in constant motion. Scientists have long used satellites and ground-based instruments to monitor movements associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and other geological events. Now, a new satellite developed by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) aims to deepen our understanding of these changes and may even help us better prepare for and recover from natural and man-made disasters.
The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission will observe the movement of almost the entire land and ice-covered surfaces of the planet twice every 12 days. This frequency of data collection will give researchers a more complete picture of how the Earth’s surface changes over time. “Such regular observations allow us to see how the Earth’s surface is moving nearly everywhere on the planet,” explains Kathleen Jones, NISAR Applications Manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.
NISAR data, along with additional measurements from other satellites and instruments, will provide a more complete picture of how the Earth’s surface moves horizontally and vertically. This information will be critical to better understanding everything from the mechanics of the Earth’s crust to which parts of the world are prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It can even help determine if parts of the embankment have been damaged or if the hillside has begun to move during a landslide.
The mission, which is targeted to be launched from India in early 2025, will be able to detect surface movements much smaller than an inch. In addition to tracking changes on the Earth’s surface, the satellite will also be able to track the movement of ice sheets, glaciers and sea ice and reflect changes in vegetation.
The source of this remarkable detail is a pair of long-wavelength radar devices: the L-band system built by JPL and the S-band system built by ISRO. The NISAR satellite is the first satellite to carry both. Each device can measure day and night and see through clouds that may obscure the view of optical devices. The L-band device will also be able to penetrate thick vegetation to measure ground motion. This feature will be especially useful in areas around volcanoes or fissures covered with vegetation.
“The NISAR satellite will not tell us when the earthquake will occur. Instead, it will help us better understand which parts of the world are most susceptible to large earthquakes,” said Mark Simons, director of the U.S. Solid Earth Research Institute at the Cal Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California.
Satellite data will give researchers an idea of which parts of the fault are moving slowly without causing an earthquake, and which parts are connected and can slide suddenly. In relatively well-monitored regions such as California, researchers can use NISAR to focus on specific earthquake-prone areas. However, in parts of the world that are not well monitored, NISAR measurements can reveal new seismic regions. When earthquakes occur, satellite data will help researchers understand what happened on faults that ruptured.
“From ISRO’s perspective, we are particularly interested in the Himalayan plate boundary,” said Srijit KM, head of ISRO’s Solid Earth Sciences Division for NISAR at the Space Applications Center in Ahmedabad, India. “This region has experienced major earthquakes in the past, and NISAR will provide us with unprecedented information about the seismic hazards of the Himalayas.”
Surface motion is also important to volcanologists, who need data collected regularly over time to detect ground movements that could herald an eruption. As magma moves beneath the Earth’s surface, the land may swell or sink. The NISAR satellite will help get a more comprehensive picture of why the volcano is deforming and whether this movement is a signal of an eruption.
In the case of infrastructure such as dams, aqueducts and embankments, NISAR’s ability to make continuous measurements over many years will help determine the normal condition of the structures and surrounding land. Then, if something changes, resource managers can identify specific areas to work on. “Instead of surveying the entire aqueduct every five years, you can target your surveys to problem areas,” Jones said.
This data can also be valuable as it shows that the dam has not changed since a disaster such as an earthquake. For example, if a major earthquake were to occur in San Francisco, liquefaction (loosely compacted or water-saturated sediments losing their stability after a strong ground shaking) could become a problem for levees and levees along the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
“There are thousands of miles of levees,” Jones said. “You’d need an army to go out and look at them all.” The NISAR mission will help authorities examine them from space and identify damaged areas. “Then you can save time and only go out to look at areas that have changed. It can save a lot of money in post-disaster repairs.”
NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a ground-breaking Earth observation mission jointly developed by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This is the first joint hardware project of the two institutions. This partnership combines the expertise of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Center to create a satellite capable of tracking changes on the Earth’s surface in unprecedented detail. JPL is leading the US component by providing the L-band radar, radar reflector antenna, deployable boom, high-speed communications system, GPS receivers, solid-state recorder and payload data subsystem. Meanwhile, ISRO is providing the spacecraft’s satellite bus, launch vehicle, mission operations and S-band radar electronics. Together, NASA and ISRO aim to use accurate NISAR data to track the movement of land and ice surfaces around the world and improve our understanding of natural and human-caused changes on Earth.
Source: Port Altele
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
