NISAR: A Mission to Understand Our Changing Planet

On July 30, 2025, NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched NISAR, an orbiter designed to observe and measure Earth’s surface in unprecedented detail. This mission is unique: it’s the first of its kind to use two radar frequencies—L-band and S-band—to map our planet’s surface, detecting changes as small as a single centimeter.

NISAR’s goal is to help us better understand some of Earth’s most complex processes:

• Ecosystem changes, like deforestation and shifts in crop growth.
• Ice-sheet collapse in Greenland and Antarctica, as well as the movement of glaciers and sea ice.
• Natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, and landslides.
• Groundwater and land deformation, such as subsidence or uplift caused by human activity or natural events.

By systematically mapping Earth, NISAR will provide data that scientists, policymakers, and communities can use to address environmental challenges.

How NISAR Works

NISAR uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a technology that produces high-resolution images even through clouds and darkness. Unlike optical satellites, radar can see through weather and darkness, making it ideal for continuous monitoring.

The mission’s dual-frequency radar allows it to:

• Measure woody biomass and track changes in forests.
• Monitor wetlands and their expansion or reduction.
• Study ice dynamics in polar regions.
• Detect land surface movements linked to earthquakes, volcanoes, and groundwater extraction.

This data will be crucial for climate research, disaster management, and sustainable resource planning.

3D PLUS: Supporting the Mission with Reliable Memory Solutions

NISAR relies on advanced electronics to process and store the vast amounts of data it collects. 3D PLUS, a leader in high-reliability memory solutions, contributes to this mission with its NOR Flash and SDRAM memories.

At 3D PLUS, we’re proud to support projects that expand our knowledge of Earth and improve life on it.

Nasa-Isro synthetic aperture radar (NISAR) satellite in orbit. Credit: NASA