New satellite is the first of its kind
The Nisar mission is a first-of-its-kind satellite that will observe all of earth’s land and ice-covered surfaces twice every 12 days.
Nisar is the first satellite to use two radar systems that will provide detailed information about earth’s surfaces in multiple wavelengths.
The duo of advanced radar imaging instruments uses different wavelengths to collect information 24/7 regardless of cloud cover or time of day.
This is especially important for regions of the world that experience cloud cover for significant periods of the year.
“We’re gonna be able to see the flow of ice into the ocean, and this is really important because there are places like the Thwaites Glacier in the Antarctic, which has the potential to cause large amounts of sea level change,” says Alex Gardner with NASA.
Data from Nisar will give emergency managers information and rescue teams important information about a region before and after major events like flooding, earthquakes, and even fires.
