With reference to the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission recently in news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a joint Earth-observation mission featuring a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar operating in L-band and S-band frequencies.
2. The S-band payload is contributed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), while the L-band payload is developed by ISRO.
3. It is designed to map the Earth's land and ice surfaces globally to monitor ecosystems, natural hazards, and sea-level rise.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 onlyAnswer
- B2 only
- C1 and 2 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Answer
The statement combination '1 and 3 only' is correct.
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. NISAR is a landmark joint project between NASA and ISRO utilizing dual-frequency SAR (L-band and S-band) to map global land masses and ice sheets, observing crustal deformation, ecosystem changes, and natural hazards. Statement 2 is false because NASA JPL provides the L-band SAR system and ISRO provides the S-band SAR system, not vice versa.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
NISAR Mission Architecture and Agency Payload Distribution