NISAR Satellite Deploys Giant Antenna, Begins Earth Monitoring | JQJO

The NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite, launched on July 30th, successfully deployed its 39-foot-wide radar antenna, the largest ever used on a NASA mission. The deployment, completed over four days, involved unfolding booms and firing explosive bolts to "bloom" the antenna. NISAR will provide unprecedented 3D views of Earth's surface, monitoring changes down to fractions of an inch, using two radar systems to penetrate clouds and vegetation. The mission aims to deliver transformative science by late fall.