ISRO’s Nisar mission faces launch delays as critical components return to NASA for thermal precautions

The much-anticipated NISAR (NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission has suffered a setback as the joint effort between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has hit a roadblock, delaying the launch plan and the target has now been moved to late April.

The Earth observation satellite is scheduled to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center on India’s southeast coast and is currently in the final stages of preparation.

A key aspect of mission readiness is the application of specialized coatings on the satellite’s 39-foot (12-meter) diameter radar antenna reflector.The important contribution of this component comes from NASAthe coating is needed to prevent potential temperature fluctuations that could hinder its functionality in space.

Also Read: Total Solar Eclipse 2024- Celestial Wonder: What to Expect, Where and When

A recent assessment conducted by ISRO pointed out potential temperature issues during the reflector storage phase, necessitating additional precautions.

International cooperation at work

The overall goal of the Nisar mission is to transform our understanding of changes in the Earth’s surface, using microwave signals to survey nearly all land and glacial areas around the world at 12-day intervals. This frequent, high-resolution monitoring can provide us with valuable insights into phenomena such as ice sheet movement, forest dynamics, and natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Also read: Shakti and Shiva: The ancient star duo in the galactic creation story

To address thermal challenges, the special coating, designed to mitigate the effects of solar radiation and limit temperature increases, is being managed at a specialized facility in California. This complex process involves transporting the reflector from ISRO’s assembly site in India, underscoring the international cooperation required to carry out the mission.

Once the coating’s efficacy in managing thermal conditions is proven, the reflector will be shipped back to India for integration on the satellite, marking an important milestone ahead of the expected launch.

Also Read: Pushpak viman launched!With Swadeshi Space Shuttle, ISRO takes bold step into reusable rockets

Nisar marks the first hardware collaboration between NASA and ISRO for an Earth observation mission. By fusing L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar, Nisar promises to provide unparalleled insights into the dynamic nature of the Earth’s surface, ranging from glacier monitoring to wetland and forest monitoring, as well as comprehensive observations of land near key geological landmarks.