Nasa

Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has selected Astro Aerospace to design and manufacture radar antenna for the Nasa-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) satellite.

Astro Aerospace is a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman.

Using dual L-band and S-band frequencies for the first time, Nisar will provide a detailed view of the Earth to observe its most complex processes.

The radar imaging satellite will observe ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet dynamics and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.

The mission is a partnership between Nasa and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Scientists expect to understand the planet’s processes and changing climate, as well as the evolution and state of the Earth’s crust with the help of data collected from Nisar.

The collected data is also expected to help future resource and hazard management.

"The reflector is based on AstroMesh technology, which is lighter, stiffer and inherently more accurate than competing technologies."

Astor Aerospace will use its proprietary astrometry deployable mesh reflector for the 12m aperture antenna.

The lightweight and stiff reflector is suitable for high frequency communications and radar applications.

Astor Aerospace general manager John A Alvarez said: "The reflector is based on AstroMesh technology, which is lighter, stiffer and inherently more accurate than competing technologies."

This year, JPL successfully deployed the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite, where Astro supplied the 6m antenna.

JPL is Nasa’s field centre managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

The laboratory is involved in the construction and operation of planetary robotic spacecraft and also conducts Earth orbit and astronomy missions.

NASA’s deep space networks are also being operated by JPL.


Image: An artist’s concept of the Nasa-ISRO synthetic aperture radar (NISAR) satellite in orbit. Photo: courtesy of Nasa / Wikipedia.