Latest news with #BRGuruprasad
Hans India
2 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
NISAR satellite carries 2 radar eyes, not dependent on sunlight: Former ISRO scientist
New Delhi: The soon-to-be-launched Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA collaborative Earth observation satellite -- NISAR -- carries two radar eyes and is not reliant on reflected sunlight for monitoring, said Former ISRO Scientist and Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Dr BR Guruprasad on Wednesday. NISAR is the first joint satellite mission of the ISRO and NASA. It is set to launch aboard GSLV-F16 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota at 5.40 pm. 'NISAR is an Earth observation satellite or a remote sensing satellite. It has got two radar eyes. These are not cameras, but radars, which means it is not reliant on reflected sunlight,' Guruprasad told IANS. 'NISAR carries radars rather than optical cameras; thus, it can perform all-weather observations, along with imaging day and night,' he said, adding that the clouds may not deter it from monitoring. The two radars in NISAR are called the L-band and S-band. Both these will radiate radar pulses to Earth from space, to help the scientists understand the changes happening to Earth. Further, Guruprasad noted that 'NISAR can take images from a height of about 750 kilometers, along a track of around 240 kilometers wide. The details can be three to 10 meters'. While both NASA and ISRO have previously excelled in making earth observation and weather satellites, the former ISRO scientist said that 'NISAR satellite is an excellent example of international cooperation' and that it will benefit the entire humanity. 'Two countries with solid capability in Earth observation are coming together, cooperating, and collaborating. It is very good not only for these two countries, but for the entire humanity, because it will change the perspective humans have about the Earth,' the veteran scientist said. While India previously launched more than three-four radar-carrying satellites, 'NISAR is unique because it has got two types of radars in a single satellite,' Guruprasad said. Weighing 2,392 kilograms, the satellite will be carried into space aboard India's GSLV-F16 rocket. It will be the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle's (GSLV) first launch into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). NISAR will scan the entire globe every 12 days, providing high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night data. It can detect even subtle changes in Earth's surface -- like ground deformation, ice sheet shifts, and vegetation dynamics. The mission will support many critical applications, including sea ice monitoring, ship detection, storm tracking, soil moisture changes, surface water mapping, and disaster response.
News18
22-07-2025
- Science
- News18
Astronomy Expo 1.0 set for July 24 in Bengaluru
Agency: PTI Bengaluru, Jul 22 (PTI) Astronomy Expo 1.0, aimed at providing students and teachers with insights into space technology and education, will be held at Inox, Mantri Square Mall, Malleswaram, on July 24. Organised by Innonxt, a Bengaluru-based research organisation, the event will feature interactive sessions, expert talks, and immersive experiences. The event will feature interactions with former ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar and Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Director B R Guruprasad, according to a release issued on Tuesday. Highlights include an immersive 3D show and a 30-minute real-time skywatch. The Aryabhatta Educational Rocket Lab (AERL), an educational app offering 20 days of free access, will also be launched during the expo. The app enables children to explore, engage, and experiment under the guidance of experienced space scientists, added the release. The expo will additionally showcase interactive displays, real rocket models, virtual demonstrations, and online sessions with scientists from ISRO and NASA. PTI JR SSK Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
17-05-2025
- Science
- United News of India
Guruprasad explains EOS-09's 24/7 earth observation
Bengaluru, May 17 (UNI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch EOS-09, an advanced Earth observation satellite equipped with radar technology that can monitor the planet day and night, regardless of weather conditions, including through clouds. This breakthrough capability will greatly enhance applications in agriculture, disaster management, urban planning, and other civilian sectors, officials said. Dr B R Guruprasad, former ISRO scientist and current Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, told reporters that the radar sensor onboard EOS-09 enables it to function continuously, unlike traditional Earth observation satellites which rely on optical cameras and are limited by daylight and clear skies. "This radar sends out radio waves and measures the reflected signals to build images of the Earth. Because it does not depend on sunlight, the satellite can observe the Earth both day and night, and in all weather conditions, including cloudy skies," Dr Guruprasad explained. EOS-09, weighing approximately 1,700 kilograms, will be launched aboard the 63rd mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), specifically the PSLV-C61 variant, from the Sriharikota spaceport. The launcher used for this mission is the heaviest version of PSLV, known as the PSLV-XL. According to Dr Guruprasad, ISRO has a history of launching radar-based Earth observation satellites, with the first such satellite launched as early as 2011. The upcoming EOS-09 mission continues this tradition and represents a significant upgrade in radar imaging technology. "The satellite is primarily designed for civilian use, with applications including agriculture, forestry, disaster management, urban development, cartography, and weather monitoring," he said. 'The radar capability makes it particularly valuable in sectors that require reliable, timely information regardless of environmental conditions.' ISRO's launch of EOS-09 is expected to strengthen India's capacity for resource management, disaster response, and scientific research, contributing to sustainable development and improved quality of life. UNI BDN SS
