What to Know About NASA and ISRO's NISAR Satellite Research into Earth's Changing Icy Regions

NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are preparing to launch the revolutionary NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite in 2024, marking the onset of an era dedicated to thorough Earth observation. This joint effort seeks to substantially advance our comprehension of vital Earth indicators, concentrating on wetland health, ground deformation induced by volcanoes, and the intricate dynamics of land and sea ice.

The NISAR satellite, equipped with both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radars, will offer unparalleled insights into Earth's cryosphere—the ice—and snow-covered surfaces across the globe. The unique combination of wavelengths will enable scientists to study the motion and deformation of frozen surfaces in unprecedented detail.

Alex Gardner, a glaciologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasized the urgency of comprehending Earth's response to the rising temperatures, stating:

“Our planet has the thermostat set on high, and Earth’s ice is responding by speeding up its motion and melting faster. We need to better understand the processes at play, and NISAR will provide measurements to do that.”

NISAR is set to observe nearly every land and ice surface on the planet twice every 12 days, offering consistent monitoring capabilities. The satellite's ability to penetrate clouds and darkness makes it a powerful tool for year-round observations, even during polar winter nights.

A pivotal aspect of NISAR's mission is its extensive coverage of Antarctica, particularly its far interior near the South Pole. Antarctica's ice sheets, holding vast reservoirs of frozen freshwater, represent a critical component in sea level rise projections. By studying the motion of ice flowing from central Antarctica's high elevations toward the sea, NISAR aims to contribute crucial data to address the uncertainties associated with ice loss.

In addition to Antarctica, NISAR will closely monitor the interface between ice and ocean, where saltwater intrusion beneath ice sheets can accelerate melting and contribute to instability. Thinning and crumbling ice shelves, especially in Antarctica and Greenland, pose challenges, and NISAR's observations will enhance our understanding of these phenomena.

The satellite's impact extends to Earth's mountain glaciers, contributing significantly to sea-level rise since the 1960s. NISAR's all-weather capabilities will aid in monitoring water storage in glacial lakes, mitigating the risk of catastrophic floods.

Sushil Kumar Singh, a glaciologist at the ISRO Space Applications Centre, highlighted the significance of NISAR in the Himalayas, where cloud cover often hampers visibility:

“The beauty and the difficulty of the Himalayas are the clouds. With NISAR we will be able to get a more continuous and complete data set that would not be possible with instruments that use visible light.”

Moreover, NISAR will play a crucial role in tracking sea ice movement and extent in both hemispheres, providing insights into the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The diminishing Arctic sea ice and the stability of the Southern Ocean, particularly in recent years, will be closely monitored.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory leads the U.S. component of the NISAR project, collaborating with ISRO for the first time on hardware development for an Earth-observing mission. The launch in 2024 heralds a new era in climate studies, underscoring the need for international collaboration and cutting-edge technology to address the escalating challenges of climate change.