NISAR Group Deploys Radar Antenna Reflector

Weighing about 142 kilos (64 kilograms) and measuring roughly 2 ft (0.6 meters) in diameter in its stowed configuration, the reflector unfurled to its full dimension, 39 ft (12 meters), over the course of 37 minutes. The deployment consisted of two phases – an preliminary “bloom” powered by the discharge of pressure saved within the reflector’s versatile body whereas it was stowed. Subsequent activation of motors and cables then pulled the antenna into its remaining, operational place, the place it was locked in place.

Figure A reveals JPL workforce members applauding on the affirmation of the profitable deployment.

The drum-shaped reflector is a vital part that permits the mission to gather information monitoring change to Earth’s land and ice surfaces. Observations from NISAR will profit humanity by serving to researchers world wide higher perceive modifications in our planet’s floor, together with its ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice. It additionally will seize modifications in forest and wetland ecosystems and monitor motion and deformation of Earth’s crust by phenomena corresponding to earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic exercise. The world and speedy protection from NISAR will present unprecedented assist for catastrophe response, producing information to help in mitigating and assessing harm, with observations earlier than and after catastrophic occasions out there in brief time frames.

The mission is an equal collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation and marks the primary time the 2 businesses have cooperated on {hardware} improvement for an Earth-observing mission. NISAR launched from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India’s southeastern coast on July 30, 2025.

Find extra details about NISAR right here: