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Science Behind the NISAR Mission

NISAR is suspended in orbit above Earth. NISAR's flight antenna system and antenna reflector are fully extended above the satellite.

Areas of Study

The rocky mountains soar in the background just behind the nearby forest along the edge of the lake.

Solid Earth

Explore how NISAR will measure the constant changes in Earth's surface, from small movements of the crust up to volcanic eruptions.

Tidal currents stir up colorful swirls off the coast of Western Australia.

Water

Explore how NISAR will measure coastal processes through periodic mapping of shoreline changes, ocean currents, wind velocities, ship locations and oil spills.

Along the left side of the image is completely ice covered solid mass. the remainder of the image is a sporadic mix of white ice and near black ocean. Clouds obscuring the rightmost edge of the image.

Cryosphere

Explore how NISAR will monitor changes in the world’s global ice, including polar ice, which, despite it's remote location, have global economic and health implications.

A tree covered mountain in the distance, behind two near bushy pines shows large orange flames in the center of the image. smoke billows up into the sky and to the right blue sky occupies a much smaller area over the fire on the left with some distant cumulus clouds behind

Ecosystems

Explore how NISAR will study variable biomass effects on global carbon budget and characterize the ecosystem disturbance and impacts on biodiversity.

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