Sensor · Spaceborne

NISAR S-band SAR

ISRO S-band synthetic aperture radar payload for NISAR.

Sensor

NISAR S-band SAR is the S-band SweepSAR instrument on NISAR, using active microwave imaging for synthetic aperture radar collection.^[1]^[2]^[3] The instrument operates in S-band around 3.2 GHz, within a 3.162-3.237 GHz range for the S-band radar context.^[1]^[2] Its SweepSAR mode supports about 242 km swath and 3 m range resolution.^[1]^[2] The S-band mode set includes full and hybrid polarimetric operation, with single, dual and compact-polarisation modes also recorded for the instrument.^[2] SAR backscatter, InSAR surface deformation and polarimetric SAR decomposition are demonstrated through NISAR, so buyers should read those as demonstrated uses rather than inferred capabilities.^[1]^[2] NISAR launched on 2025-07-30, and SAR-S utilization is recorded from October 2025 with end of life at or after 2029.^[4]^[2]

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

NISAR ——— this payload

this ——— NISAR (Operational) flies on

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

SAR backscatter imagingvia NISAR
NISAR nisar-s-band-sar supports SAR imaging, repeat-pass InSAR, and polarimetric SAR modes per NASA/ISRO mission sources.
InSAR - surface deformationvia NISAR
NISAR nisar-s-band-sar supports SAR imaging, repeat-pass InSAR, and polarimetric SAR modes per NASA/ISRO mission sources.
Polarimetric SAR - target decompositionvia NISAR
NISAR nisar-s-band-sar supports SAR imaging, repeat-pass InSAR, and polarimetric SAR modes per NASA/ISRO mission sources.

Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to

Geology and geohazards InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Permafrost and ground ice InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Pipeline integrity InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Subsidence InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Transport infrastructure monitoring InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Coastal erosion InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Groundwater and terrestrial water storage InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Snow water equivalent InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Flooding InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)marginal

Glacier and ice-sheet mass InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)marginal

Forest structure and biomass Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)well suited

Biodiversity and habitat Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Illegal and unregulated fishing Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Sea ice Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Soil moisture Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Urban change Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Vessel tracking Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)adequate

Crop-type mapping Polarimetric SAR - target decomposition(demonstrated)marginal

Ocean surface winds SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Sea state SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Wind energy siting SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Economic activity intelligence SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)adequate

Ocean currents SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)marginal

Sources

[1]NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) Mission Science Users Handbookagency doc2026-06-16
[2]NISAR satellite record, WMO OSCARthird party2026-06-16
[3]SAR-S (NISAR) instrument record, WMO OSCARthird party2026-06-16
[4]NISAR S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar, NASA Earthdataagency doc2026-06-16

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/nisar-s-band-sar Markdown twin → Field definitions →