India and the US have achieved a significant milestone with the NISAR mission, successfully deploying its 12-meter antenna and completing early calibration. ISRO has now released the first S-band radar images, showcasing the satellite’s capability in observing Earth’s diverse landscapes, marking the commencement of its science phase. BENGALURU: India and the United States have cleared a major milestone in their joint Earth-observation effort, with the Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) mission completing antenna deployment, early calibration, and the full commissioning run. The mission has now moved into its science phase, with Isro releasing the first set of S-band radar images on Friday, the 100th day of the satellite in orbit.After the successful launch of Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) satellite onboard GSLV – F16 on July 30, the 12m diameter Antenna reflector has been successfully deployed. The 12-meter diameter antenna reflector plays a key role for both Isro’s S-Band and Nasa’s L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. The antenna was launched in a stowed condition on a 9m long boom, which was tucked to the satellite. The antenna and the 9m boom was developed by Nasa.The unfolding of the joints of the boom commenced on Aug 9, and was carried out over a period of five days (Wrist, Shoulder, Elbow and Root deployments). The reflector assembly mounted on the end of the boom was deployed successfully on Aug 15 and the performance of the antenna systems are satisfactory.The entire operations were carried out from the Isro Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (Istrac) with the support of Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).Commissioning Phase“Since the first acquisition on Aug 19, Nisar S-Band SAR is regularly imaging over Indian landmass and global calibration-validation sites in various payload operating configurations. Reference targets such as Corner reflectors were deployed around Ahmedabad, Gujarat and a few more locations in India for calibration of the images,” Isro said. Data acquired over Amazon rainforests were also used for calibration of spacecraft pointing and images. Based on this, payload data acquisition parameters were fine-tuned resulting in high quality images. Initial analysis by scientists and engineers revealed the potential of S-Band SAR data for various targeted science and application areas like agriculture, forestry, geo-sciences, hydrology, Polar/Himalayan ice/snow and oceanic studies. “The first image of S-band SAR acquired on Aug 19 captures the fertile Godavari River Delta in Andhra Pradesh, India. Various vegetation classes like mangroves, agriculture, arecanut plantations, aquaculture fields, etc are clearly seen in the image. The image highlights Nisar’s S-Band SAR ability to map river deltas and agricultural landscapes with precision,” Isro said.“On the 100th day of Nisar in-orbit, the S-SAR images are released to the public… the science phase has now commenced,” Isro added.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’They Are Ours, We’ll Prove It’: Pakistani Leader’s Absurd Claim On ‘Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan’Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies, Monsoon Fury Slams Sri Lanka With At Least 56 Dead And Dozens MissingViral Video: Stage Crashes During UP Wedding As BJP Leaders Gather To Greet Bride & GroomIndia-Russia Summit Dates Out As PM Modi, Putin Review S-400, Su-57 And Global Security ChallengesGoldy Dhillon Gang Member Arrested In Delhi For Kapil Sharma’s Kap’s Cafe Shootings Across CanadaIndia Sends A Strong Warning: Rajnath Singh Says Sovereignty And Security Will Never Be NegotiableCongress, BJP Face Off Over Kumar Ketkar’s Controversial Remark CIA, Mossad Helped Modi Win in 2014Tejas Is The Safest, Says HAL Chief, Rejecting All Concerns After Dramatic Dubai Air Show AccidentPakistan Army General Warns Of Hybrid-To-Full War As Pakistan Reshapes Military Power Under MunirPakistan Erupts As Imran Khan’s Son Claims ‘No Proof Of Life’ Amid CM Afridi’s Jail-Side Protest123Photostories5 places where the sun never sets (or never rises): How travellers experience it2025 Bollywood celebs baby name reveal posts: Sidharth Malhotra – Kiara Advani’s daughter Saraayah to Parineeti Chopra – Raghav Chadha’s son NeerSarayna Ponvannan, Samyuktha Shanmuganathan, Amala Paul: South actresses who found true love the second timeHow to grow Guava in a pot on your balconyEating sweet potatoes regularly? 7 health benefits of sweet potatoes on your blood sugarSaturday Remedies: 5 Powerful Remedies To Appease Shani Dev10 phrases that can affect a child’s mood and mental health‘Tere Ishq Mei’ promotions: Turn up the sass this shaadi season with Kriti Sanon’s ‘Mukti’-inspired traditional looksKonkona Sen Sharma radiates timeless grace and powerful screen presenceBest fruit for liver health? 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BENGALURU: India and the United States have cleared a major milestone in their joint Earth-observation effort, with the Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) mission completing antenna deployment, early calibration, and the full commissioning run. The mission has now moved into its science phase, with Isro releasing the first set of S-band radar images on Friday, the 100th day of the satellite in orbit.After the successful launch of Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) satellite onboard GSLV – F16 on July 30, the 12m diameter Antenna reflector has been successfully deployed. The 12-meter diameter antenna reflector plays a key role for both Isro’s S-Band and Nasa’s L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. The antenna was launched in a stowed condition on a 9m long boom, which was tucked to the satellite. The antenna and the 9m boom was developed by Nasa.The unfolding of the joints of the boom commenced on Aug 9, and was carried out over a period of five days (Wrist, Shoulder, Elbow and Root deployments). The reflector assembly mounted on the end of the boom was deployed successfully on Aug 15 and the performance of the antenna systems are satisfactory.The entire operations were carried out from the Isro Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (Istrac) with the support of Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).Commissioning Phase“Since the first acquisition on Aug 19, Nisar S-Band SAR is regularly imaging over Indian landmass and global calibration-validation sites in various payload operating configurations. Reference targets such as Corner reflectors were deployed around Ahmedabad, Gujarat and a few more locations in India for calibration of the images,” Isro said. Data acquired over Amazon rainforests were also used for calibration of spacecraft pointing and images. Based on this, payload data acquisition parameters were fine-tuned resulting in high quality images. Initial analysis by scientists and engineers revealed the potential of S-Band SAR data for various targeted science and application areas like agriculture, forestry, geo-sciences, hydrology, Polar/Himalayan ice/snow and oceanic studies. “The first image of S-band SAR acquired on Aug 19 captures the fertile Godavari River Delta in Andhra Pradesh, India. Various vegetation classes like mangroves, agriculture, arecanut plantations, aquaculture fields, etc are clearly seen in the image. The image highlights Nisar’s S-Band SAR ability to map river deltas and agricultural landscapes with precision,” Isro said.“On the 100th day of Nisar in-orbit, the S-SAR images are released to the public… the science phase has now commenced,” Isro added.
