Satellite reminiscent of flowers He “bloomed” in space, developing to reveal the largest reflector of the radar antenna he has ever put on orbit. . Radar from the synthetic aperture NASA-ISRO (Nisar), a joint project between the American Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), launched on July 30 with Satish Dhawan Space Center in south -eastern India, before it developed to full size 17 days later.
The spacecraft is now ready to observe the Earth on a full scale and will employ the radar to track changes on the surface of our planet in unprecedented resolution. It can record the movement of sands and glaciers, deformation of the shell caused by earthquakes and landslides and changes in forest ecosystems and wetlands, up to a few centimeters for some types of terrain. The goal is for Nisar data to aid in making decisions in a wide range of fields, including response to disasters, infrastructure, agricultural policy and food security.
“The successful arrangement of the Nisara headlight means a significant milestone in the field of satellite possibilities,” said Karen St. Germain, director of the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the headquarters of NASA, at the headquarters of NASA, v statement.
Two -eyes satellite
Nisara’s headlight – a device that he uses for transmission and receiving radar signals – connects 39 feet, which makes it the largest device that has ever been placed in orbit by NASA. Made of golden wire mesh, the reflector was attached to the satellite like a sophisticated umbrella. Within four days after starting the satellite, he slowly extended the boom before the antenna frame, which was kept in voltage, was released on August 15, enabling the reflector “Bloom” to full size.
Nisar is the first satellite that transported two types of synthetic aperture radar or SAR: L-PASM and SE strips. This first penetrates into the forest canopy and clouds to detect deformation of the shell and ice movement. The S -bands are sensitive to moisture in the snow cover and changes in vegetation. By combining these two, it is possible to save a multi -layered record of various phenomena, from earthquakes and volcanic activity to desertion. The huge reflector serves as a “eye”, which is necessary for both systems, focusing the broadcast radar when it is sent to the ground, receiving and focusing these signals when they bounce back to the satellite.
“Synthetic aperture radar, in principle, acts like a camera lens that focuses light to make a sharp picture. The size of the lens, called aperture, determines image sharpness,” said Paul Rosen, scientist of the Nisara project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory laboratory statement. “By using special interferometric techniques that compare images in time, Nisar enables researchers and data users to create 3D movies about changes on the Earth’s surface.”
10 years of technology in creation
The Jet Propulsion NASA laboratory has been developing radars for employ in satellites since the 1970s, launching the world’s first ocean observation satellite, Seasat, in 1978 and revealing the topography of the cloud -covered Venus from the planetary probe Magellan in the 1990s.
The culmination of knowledge acquired for decades is a product of both American and Indian technology: NASA provided SAR equipment and data communication L, while Isro India was responsible for SAR and satellite bus-infrastructure, which supports power, communication and satellite orientation. The ISRO ground station was responsible for launch operations and initial, and experts from both countries worked together on monitoring implementation operations.