Latest news with #Sentinel-1
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Science
- Business Standard
World's first dual-frequency radar satellite NISAR to launch from India
World's first dual-frequency radar satellite Launch: In a landmark collaboration, NASA and ISRO are gearing up to launch the NISAR satellite. It is an ambitious $1.5 billion Earth-observation mission that could redefine how we track changes on our planet. The satellite is scheduled to launch this July from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is designed to monitor Earth's surface with unprecedented centimetre-level precision, day or night, rain or shine. Equipped with a massive 12-meter radar antenna and weighing nearly three tonnes, NISAR is built to deliver near-real-time data on critical challenges like agricultural trends, climate shifts, natural disasters, and environmental changes. Its insights are expected to benefit scientists, farmers, and disaster-response teams globally, making it one of the most anticipated Earth science missions in recent memory. Why Nasa and Isro teamed up for NISAR? Most Earth-observing satellites rely on sunlight to capture surface images, limiting their use to daylight hours and clear skies. This makes them less effective in cloudy regions, like the tropics, or during nighttime events. The NASA-ISRO partnership aims to bridge this gap. With NISAR's advanced radar system, the mission will provide continuous, all-weather imaging, delivering more accurate and timely insights into environmental conditions, natural calamities, and agricultural developments. At the core of NISAR is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)—a technology originally developed for military reconnaissance in the 1950s. Unlike traditional optical sensors, SAR actively sends radar signals to the Earth's surface and captures the reflections. It functions like a camera flash in the dark, allowing it to 'see' through clouds, smoke, and dense vegetation, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Real-time tracking of natural disasters SAR has already shown its potential in monitoring floods, earthquakes, and landslides. NISAR will push this further by using dual-frequency radar and offering high-resolution images. It can detect even slight shifts in the Earth's crust, enabling emergency services to assess damage more quickly and respond more effectively during disasters. One of NISAR's unique strengths is its ability to penetrate thick vegetation. This allows researchers to study forest structures and wetlands in greater detail than ever before. It will help measure forest biomass and carbon content, as well as detect flooded vegetation, providing critical insights into ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon and support biodiversity. Global impact of NISAR NISAR's high-resolution data will be freely available to researchers and institutions worldwide. It will revisit almost all land and ice surfaces every 12 days, offering more consistent and detailed observations than older missions like Sentinel-1. For the agricultural sector, this means better tracking of soil moisture, crop growth, and land-use patterns, helping farmers make smarter decisions about irrigation and resource use. NISAR's groundbreaking ability NISAR is the first satellite to carry dual-frequency radars and marks NASA and ISRO's first joint hardware venture for Earth observation. What makes it even more impactful is its open data policy, offering free access to high-resolution images and insights to scientists and agencies worldwide. With the ability to detect ground shifts of just a few millimetres, NISAR will aid in monitoring earthquakes, coastal erosion, groundwater changes, forest biomass, and dam safety, benefiting both climate research and disaster management. The satellite will also play a vital role in monitoring glacier movements and melting ice sheets, key indicators of rising sea levels. In coastal areas, NISAR can track shoreline erosion and even detect oil spills, providing valuable tools for environmental protection and emergency response. New era in Earth science NISAR took nearly ten years to develop, and now it is set to launch and add a new chapter in global earth observation. The merger of cutting-edge radar technology with global accessibility promises to equip scientists, policymakers, and communities with the data they need to better understand our planet. From climate resilience and food security to disaster preparedness, NISAR is poised to become a cornerstone of Earth science for years to come.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
NASA-ISRO to launch $1.5 billion NISAR satellite: Why this Earth-monitoring mission is so important
In a major joint effort, NASA and ISRO are set to launch the NISAR satellite , a $1.5 billion Earth-observing mission that could transform the way we monitor our planet. The launch is scheduled for June 18, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India. NISAR, short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar , will track changes on Earth's surface with centimeter-level precision—whether it's day or night, sunny or stormy. The satellite carries a huge 12-metre radar antenna and weighs nearly three tonnes. It's built to deliver real-time data on critical issues like farming patterns, climate shifts, earthquakes, landslides and floods. Scientists, farmers and emergency teams across the globe are expected to benefit from the mission's insights, making NISAR one of the most anticipated Earth science projects in recent years. Why NASA and ISRO joined hands for the NISAR mission Most existing Earth-observing satellites depend on reflected sunlight to capture surface images, meaning they can only function in daylight and clear weather. This limits their effectiveness in cloud-covered regions like the tropics or during nighttime events. The NASA-ISRO collaboration on the NISAR mission aims to overcome these gaps. Using advanced radar technology, NISAR will provide round-the-clock, all-weather imaging, enabling more accurate monitoring of natural disasters, environmental changes, and agricultural patterns regardless of time or conditions. How NISAR's radar technology makes a difference NISAR uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a technology first developed for military use in the 1950s. Unlike optical imaging, SAR actively sends radar signals to Earth's surface and captures their reflections. This works much like using a flash in a dark room. SAR can see through clouds, smoke, and even dense vegetation, making it ideal for 24/7 monitoring in all weather conditions. Real-time disaster monitoring and response SAR has already proven useful in tracking disasters like floods, landslides, and earthquakes. NISAR takes this a step further by offering more detailed images and dual-frequency radar. It can detect even subtle land shifts caused by disasters and help emergency teams assess damage quickly, improving response and recovery efforts. Looking inside forests and wetlands NISAR's radar can penetrate thick vegetation, allowing scientists to study the structure of forests and wetlands in new detail. It will measure how much biomass and carbon forests hold and detect flooded vegetation, giving insights into ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon and support biodiversity. Global benefits for science and agriculture The satellite's high-resolution data will be made freely available to researchers and institutions worldwide. It will scan nearly all land and ice surfaces every 12 days, offering more frequent and sharper imaging than previous missions like Sentinel-1. For agriculture, NISAR can measure soil moisture in all conditions, helping farmers time irrigation and boost crop yields. Tracking glaciers, coastlines, and oil spills Beyond forests and farms, NISAR will monitor the movement of ice sheets and glaciers, which is vital for studying rising sea levels. It will also help track coastal erosion and oil spills at sea, offering tools for both environmental protection and disaster response. A bold leap for Earth science After more than ten years in development, the NISAR satellite is ready to offer a powerful new view of our planet. It combines cutting-edge radar with global access to help scientists, governments, and communities better understand Earth's systems and respond to its challenges. From climate change to food security and disaster resilience, NISAR is set to play a key role in the years to come. .
India Today
02-06-2025
- Climate
- India Today
Maps: Satellite data reveals extent of Assam floods
The flood situation in Assam's Brahmaputra valley remained severe on Monday, with water levels continuing to rise across several regions, according to officials. Satellite imagery and flood-mapping data analysed by India Today's OSINT team using Sentinel-1 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data revealed that large areas of land were submerged under the same methodology, the composite overview imagery showed extensive inundation across key districts in Assam, including Nalbari, Guwahati, Nagaon, Silchar, Golaghat and Kamrup. Isolated flood signatures were also detected across nearly 19-20 districts, including Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Darrang, Biswanath, Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong West, Kamrup, Hojai, Sonitpur, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Majuli and In Assam's Kamrup Metropolitan district, flooding was primarily observed along the floodplains of the Digaru river. Satellite imagery indicated severe inundation in key urban zones, particularly in the Garchuk and Boragaon localities of Guwahati. Blue shades represent flooding in Kamrup. A similar pattern emerged in the satellite imagery of Nagaon district, where floodwaters were concentrated along the floodplains of the Kapili river. Significant inundation was detected near Kaziranga National Park, as well as in the areas of Barhampur, Barafuti and Kampur Google Earth Engine (GEE), we processed Sentinel-1 SAR datasets to perform time-series analysis of flood dynamics. By comparing radar data from the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods, we identified changes in surface water coverage that allowed us to detect newly-flooded zones. The use of SAR data, which can penetrate cloud cover and heavy rain, allowed consistent monitoring even during peak weather conditions. This approach enabled clear visualization of flood extent across Assam's impacted this analysis, we utilised pre-flooding (April 16 to May 7) and intra-flooding (May 31 to June 1) remote sensing datasets to conduct a differential assessment of surface water extent. By analysing temporal variations in satellite imagery, we were able to highlight flood-affected zones with enhanced spatial India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Assam and Meghalaya, warning the states of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coming week. Similar alerts have been issued for Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura, which are also expected to receive intense Watch IN THIS STORY#Assam
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Picture From Space Captures Multicoloured Lake Alakol In Kazakhstan
Hidden in the remote eastern reaches of Kazakhstan, Lake Alakol is a natural wonder that blends striking beauty with ancient healing lore. Revered for its shimmering hues – ranging from deep indigo to rust red and turquoise – the lake has long drawn attention not just for its surreal appearance but also for its soothing properties, believed to ease ailments like eczema, joint pain and dry skin. Now, thanks to high-resolution images captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellite, the world is beginning to witness the lake's mesmerising, ever-shifting palette from space – unveiling a spectacle that changes with the seasons. Lake Alakol holds a special place in Central Asia's geography. While the lake spans around 1,000 square miles, its most distinctive feature is its isolation from the sea. Fed by the Urzhar and Emil rivers, the lake is completely cut off from any ocean, creating an enclosed system. Anything that flows in stays there until the sun evaporates it, leaving minerals and salts behind. This continuous cycle has increased the salinity of the water, which is now high enough to repel freshwater fish, yet mild enough for daring swimmers. The lake typically freezes over for two months at the end of winter before breaking apart in early spring, leaving floating fragments that gleam like shattered glass. The size of its surface varies from year to year. The shoreline may extend several hundred yards in response to a rainy spring, but it retracts after three consecutive dry summers. These fluctuations affect the salt content and the algae that give the water its turquoise or rust-red colour. The term "the water's mood" is often used to describe this chameleon-like quality. European Space Agency scientists can now observe these colour shifts from above using Sentinel-1 radar. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, Lake Alakol is an important biological habitat, home to several rare bird species. In recognition of its ecological significance, the lake was included in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program in 2013. It was also added to the global list of protected wetlands by Ramsar, an international convention for the conservation of wetlands.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Satellite images reveal how Earth's surface moved during deadly Myanmar earthquake
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Earth-observing satellites reveal significant ground shift in central Myanmar following the devastating earthquakes that ravaged the area in March. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-1A satellite captured radar images of the country just one day before a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on March 28. The Sentinel-1C satellite revisited the site a few days later, capturing the aftermath of the seismic event. "Using satellite radar images, scientists can map the extent of ruptures and identify areas of increased seismic risk," ESA officials said in a statement. ESA's Sentinel-1 mission includes two satellites positioned 180 degrees apart in orbit above Earth, enabling them to collectively scan the entire globe every six days. Sentinel-1's advanced radar imaging capabilities, including Terrain Observation with Progressive Scans and burst overlap interferometry, allow for precise measurement of ground motion in both east-west and north-south directions. By comparing the satellite data collected before and after the Myanmar earthquake (a method called synthetic aperture radar interferometry), scientists were able to create a detailed map illustrating ground movement, also known as an interferogram, along the Sagaing Fault — one of the most active strike-slip faults in Southeast Asia, running north to south through the center of Myanmar. RELATED STORIES: — Turkey earthquake opened 190-mile-long fissure, satellite images show — Satellites reveal how deadly Morocco earthquake moved ground (photos) — Earthquakes seem more intense after cosmic ray strikes. Scientists say this is why. The earthquake rupture, which is the sudden break and movement along a fault, extended approximately 342 miles (550 kilometers) along the Sagaing Fault — one of the longest documented surface ruptures ever recorded for a strike-slip fault. The interferogram revealed 63 inches (160 centimeters) of ground displacement along the fault line, indicating significant movement on either side of the fault. This data provides critical insight on the earthquake, which can aid in disaster response efforts. "These data are a game-changer," Dirk Geudtner, ESA's Sentinel-1 System Manager, said in the statement. "They enable faster, more accurate assessments after disasters, and help us to improve earthquake models globally."
