Latest news with #NISAR
CNN
an hour ago
- Science
- CNN
US and India launch historic joint mission that could change the way we see Earth
A first-of-its-kind satellite has launched to track nearly imperceptible changes on Earth's surface, an effort that could aid with responses to natural disasters. Called the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, or NISAR, the spacecraft is equipped with two kinds of synthetic aperture radar designed by the US space agency and the Indian Space Research Organization in the countries' first joint satellite project. The radar, pioneered by NASA to use in space, works like conventional radar in that it uses microwaves to detect distant surfaces and objects. But advanced data processing enables the details to be seen at high resolution. NISAR lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India's southeastern coast at 8:10 a.m. ET (5:40 p.m. IST) Wednesday aboard an ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, or GSLV-F16. The launch was streamed live on NASA+ and the agency's YouTube channel. The satellite will orbit Earth 14 times per day in order to complete scans of almost all of the planet's ice and land surfaces twice every 12 days, detecting changes in Earth's surface down to fractions of an inch in the process. NISAR's dual radar will collect information that could allow for a better understanding of landslides and earthquakes, and improve the monitoring of ice sheets, glaciers, permafrost, forests, wetlands and agricultural fields. The data, which will be publicly available as it is collected and downloaded from the satellite, will also be used to prepare for and respond to hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, flooding and wildfires. The mission, first proposed in 2014, will allow scientists to monitor Earth like never before, changing the way we study our home planet and better predicting a natural disaster before it strikes, said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. 'Even though we may not always notice it, much of our Earth's land surface is in constant motion,' Fox said. 'The changes, however, are so subtle that right now they're virtually undetectable. The need to be better prepared before, during and after the challenges caused by natural disasters around the world could not be greater.' NISAR, which is about the length of a pickup truck, is expected to capture a broad range of information due to its dual radar system — an L-band system with a 10-inch (25-centimeter) wavelength, and an S-band system with a 4-inch (10-centimeter) wavelength. The L-band was provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, while the S-band was supplied by ISRO. 'NISAR is an equal 50/50, partnership between NASA and ISRO,' said Wendy Edelstein, NISAR deputy project manager at NASA's JPL, during a July 21 news conference. 'These two radars work together to achieve science that neither could see on their own.' The signal of each system is calibrated to features of different sizes on Earth. Shorter wavelengths in the S-band can measure small objects, like leaves and the roughness of surfaces, to monitor crops, while long wavelengths in the L-band can peer through thick tree canopies to study forest structure and even spot boulders and tree trunks. The radar systems can also take specific measurements of motion, land deformation and moisture content. By bouncing microwave signals off Earth's surface and receiving return signals on a large radar antenna reflector, NISAR will be able to see through clouds and rain during the day and at night. The satellite's continuous observation could spot potential land movement before a volcanic eruption, or help scientists understand how motion on Earth's surface could disrupt infrastructure like levees or dams. It could even provide insights about where earthquakes may occur, according to NASA. The satellite is the result of conversations between NASA and ISRO that began in response to the National Academy of Science's 2007 decadal survey, which identified research priorities and recommended prioritizing observations of Earth. The two agencies signed an agreement on September 30, 2014, to partner on the NISAR mission. In addition to providing the S-band radar, ISRO is calibrating the instrument, processing its data and developing algorithms to achieve the scientific goals of the mission. The agency has also supplied the body of the satellite, the launch vehicle and launch services. Meanwhile, NASA contributed a radar reflector antenna, a deployable boom, a communication subsystem for incoming data and other aspects of the spacecraft. 'We are two nations with one mission,' said Karen St. Germain, director of Earth science at NASA, during a recent news conference. 'NISAR unites the US and India to study our home planet together. The collaboration, cooperation and information sharing between our two agencies is a foundation that we really look forward to continuing to build upon.' Previously, some NASA instruments were flown aboard India's first deep-space mission Chandrayaan-1, which launched in 2008 and orbited the moon for nearly two years. Together, members of the NASA and ISRO team collaborated across 13 time zones and more than 9,000 miles (14,500 kilometers) to work on NISAR, requiring long-distance travel and many late-night and early morning video calls to build and test systems. The hardware was assembled on two different continents before being integrated in India to complete the satellite. Edelstein has traveled to India more than 25 times over the past decade and spent more than 150 days over the last two years working alongside team members at ISRO. Traveling from JPL, it took her 36 hours, door to door, to reach Bengaluru, India, where the systems were being tested. But she said the journey has allowed her to get to know her colleagues at ISRO well and be immersed in Indian culture — something she calls a very big personal highlight. St. Germain agrees: 'Building a satellite on opposite sides of the world during a global pandemic was really hard, but it strengthened our relationship with ISRO,' she said. Dr. Jitendra Singh, India's Minister for Science and Technology, said the mission is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India to become a 'Vishwa Bandhu,' or a global partner that contributes to the collective good of humanity, according to a news release shared by the country's Press Information Bureau. 'This mission is not just about a satellite launch — it is a moment that symbolises what two democracies committed to science and global welfare can achieve together. NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world, especially in areas like disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring,' Singh said. 'NISAR is not just a satellite; it is India's scientific handshake with the world.' Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.
National Observer
5 hours ago
- Science
- National Observer
Radar satellite launched by India and NASA to track minuscule changes to Earth's land and ice
NASA and India paired up to launch an Earth-mapping satellite on Wednesday capable of tracking even the slightest shifts in land and ice. The $1.3 billion mission will help forecasters and first responders stay one step ahead of floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions and other disasters, according to scientists. Rocketing to orbit from India, the satellite will survey virtually all of Earth's terrain multiple times. Its two radars — one from the US and the other from India — will operate day and night, peering through clouds, rain and foliage to collect troves of data in extraordinary detail. Microwave signals beamed down to Earth from the dual radars will bounce back up to the satellite's super-sized antenna reflector perched at the end of a boom like a beach umbrella. Scientists will compare the incoming and outgoing signals as the spacecraft passes over the same locations twice every 12 days, teasing out changes as small as a fraction of an inch (1 centimeter). 'Congratulations India!' India's minister of science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said via X once the satellite safely reached orbit. The mission 'will benefit the entire world community.' NASA's deputy associate administrator Casey Swails, part of a small delegation that traveled to India for the launch, said it 'really shows the world what our two nations can do. But more so than that, it really is a pathfinder for the relationship building,.' It will take a full week to extend the satellite's 30-foot (9-meter) boom and open the 39-foot-in-diameter (12-meter) drum-shaped reflector made of gold-plated wire mesh. Science operations should begin by the end of October. Radar satellite launched by India and NASA will track minuscule changes to Earth's land and ice. #NISAR Among the satellite's most pressing measurements: melting glaciers and polar ice sheets; shifting groundwater supplies; motion and stress of land surfaces prompting landslides and earthquakes; and forest and wetland disruptions boosting carbon dioxide and methane emissions. It's 'a first-of-its-kind, jewel radar satellite that will change the way we study our home planet and better predict a natural disaster before it strikes," NASA's science mission chief Nicky Fox said ahead of liftoff. She was part of the NASA delegation that attended the launch in person. NASA is contributing $1.2 billion to the three-year mission; it supplied the low-frequency radar and reflector. The Indian Space Research Organization's $91 million share includes the higher-frequency radar and main satellite structure, as well as the launch from a barrier island in the Bay of Bengal. It's the biggest space collaboration between the two countries. The satellite called NISAR — short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar — will operate from a near-polar-circling orbit 464 miles (747 kilometers) high. It will join dozens of Earth observation missions already in operation by the US and India.
See - Sada Elbalad
6 hours ago
- Science
- See - Sada Elbalad
US, India Launch Advanced Satellite to Track Earth's Surface Changes
Israa Farhan The United States and India have successfully launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, an advanced Earth observation mission designed to monitor even the most subtle changes on the planet's surface. Lifted off at 12:10 GMT from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India's southeastern coast, the $1.3 billion mission aims to revolutionize our understanding of natural and human-induced disasters. This sophisticated satellite, now orbiting Earth's poles at an altitude of 747 kilometers (464 miles), will gather critical data on events such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, glacial melting, and volcanic activity. Developed jointly by NASA and the India n Space Research Organization (ISRO), NISAR is the world's first radar imaging satellite to operate using dual-frequency radar. NASA provided the L-band radar system, while ISRO contributed the S-band radar and the satellite's structural components. Together, these instruments enable continuous, all-weather monitoring of Earth's surface, capturing shifts as minor as one centimeter every 12 days. Though not designed to forecast seismic events, NISAR will significantly enhance the scientific community's ability to identify regions vulnerable to major earthquakes. According to NASA geoscience lead Mark Simons, the satellite will help pinpoint areas with high tectonic stress by observing subtle ground deformations over time. NASA Earth Science Director Karen St. Germain hailed NISAR as the most sophisticated radar instrument ever constructed. She noted its ability to detect land subsidence, glacial melt in Greenland and Antarctica, deformation from volcanic activity, and even the spread of wildfires, regardless of weather or light conditions. The satellite beams radar signals to Earth and captures their reflections using a large antenna reflector. These measurements, when compared across multiple satellite passes, enable precise tracking of environmental changes on a global scale. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Watch: Sai Akhil Anand on his solo art exhibition ‘Morphogenesis'
Earth observation NISAR satellite will be launched on Jul 30, says ISRO chairman By The Hindu Bureau
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
School Assembly news headlines for today August 2, 2025: From sports to education, check 20+ national & international news
School Assembly news headlines for today August 2, 2025: Good morning, respected Principal, teachers, and dear friends! Today's school assembly features the latest news headlines from August 2, 2025, covering over 20 important updates from national and international arenas. From thrilling sports achievements to significant education developments and key world events, these headlines are designed to keep you well-informed and engaged. Let's begin by exploring the top stories shaping our world today, bringing awareness to start our day on an informed note. Note: 40+ Thought of the day for school assembly Today's national news headlines in English for school assembly, August 2, 2025 US President Donald Trump announces 25% tariffs plus penalty on India, effective August 1, citing high Indian tariffs affecting trade balance. India successfully launches NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite, a $1.5 billion joint radar imaging project, to map Earth's land and ice for climate monitoring. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirms government initiatives to curb cyber frauds including a new Digital Intelligence Platform. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar denies any phone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump during recent India-Pakistan tensions. INCOIS reports no threat to Indian coastlines despite powerful earthquakes near Russia's Far East. Today's international news headlines in English for school assembly, August 2, 2025 An 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggers tsunami alerts along coasts of Russia, Japan, and the US, with evacuation orders lifted soon after in Hawaii. Thailand accuses Cambodia of ceasefire violation amid border tensions, raising concerns ofHere are curated school assembly news headlines strictly for July 31, 2025, across various categories. Note: 20+ Word of the Day for School Assembly Today's sports news headlines in English for school assembly, August 2, 2025 England's Ben Stokes ruled out of final Test against India due to injury; Ollie Pope named stand-in captain. India's Jasprit Bumrah to miss fifth Test against England, with Akash Deep expected to step in. Abhishek Sharma reaches No.1 in ICC T20I batting rankings, joining Indian cricket legends. England's Nat Sciver-Brunt regains No.1 spot in women's ODI batting rankings, surpassing India's Smriti Mandhana. India drawn in Group C with Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei for AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026. Today's education news headlines in English for school assembly, August 2, 2025 NAAC to introduce an AI-based grading system for colleges starting this month, replacing the three-decade-old framework. Mission AI-Saksham launched: Free AI certification drive rolled out for Indian college students to bridge academic and AI industry skills gap. NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 1 seat processing to proceed today, results expected shortly. Delhi University's NCWEB releases the first cut-off list for the 2024–25 academic year, with online admissions underway. Tamil Nadu's new U-shaped classroom initiative gets positive feedback, aiming to reshape student engagement in learning. Today's state news headlines in English for school assembly, August 2, 2025 PM Modi will release the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Scheme from Varanasi today, impacting over 9 crore farmers nationwide. Both houses of Parliament adjourned till 2 PM, with ongoing opposition protests over various national issues. Intense rain warnings remain for Delhi-NCR and several northern states, continuing till August 3, as per IMD advisories. States begin immediate school safety audits following the tragic school building collapse in Rajasthan that led to multiple casualties. ED launches its first set of operations in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, investigating a ₹200 crore bank fraud case. Top business and economic news headlines for August 2, 2025 Dr. Reddy's and other Indian pharma stocks fall after Trump threatens a 25% tariff on Indian exports, rattling markets. PM Modi to release ₹20,500 crore as the 20th PM-Kisan installment, benefiting 9.7 crore farmers today. Sensex and Nifty remain steady despite global volatility triggered by U.S. tariff announcements. RBI's hopes for an imminent rate cut fade amid high global tariffs and ongoing inflation concerns. Mahindra & Mahindra posts a robust 24% rise in net profit, gaining market share in the automotive and farm equipment sectors. Daily word and thought of the day for school assembly, August 2, 2025 For the school assembly on August 2, 2025, here are the daily word and thought of the day: Word of the Day: Inquisitive / Meaning: Curious or eager for knowledge; asking questions to learn more. Thought of the Day: "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." — Proverbs 15:4 For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
