ISRO Opens NISAR S-Band SAR Data From Cycle 25 on Bhoonidhi
Updated
Updated · ISRO · Jul 24
ISRO Opens NISAR S-Band SAR Data From Cycle 25 on Bhoonidhi
3 articles · Updated · ISRO · Jul 24
Summary
Cycle 25 data acquired since July 8 are now being generated in ISRO’s operational environment and released for direct download through the Bhoonidhi portal.
Bhoonidhi is distributing daily processed NISAR S-band SAR products covering India and selected global sites, including Level-1 and Level-2 datasets such as interferograms, geocoded SLCs and pixel offsets.
747-km-orbit NISAR is in science operations with a 12-day repeat cycle, using dual-frequency L-band and S-band radar to deliver all-weather, wide-swath Earth observations.
Earlier pre-Cycle 25 datasets will be reprocessed and added in phases, while the current Baseline v1.4.0 release still carries some residual radiometric banding and RFI artifacts in certain areas.
How will residual radar artifacts in ISRO's newly released NISAR data impact global real-time disaster monitoring efforts?
Will the phased reprocessing of earlier NISAR datasets arrive in time to help scientists track rapidly accelerating climate anomalies?
Why did space agencies release this highly anticipated S-band radar data before fully resolving its known interference issues?
July 2026 NISAR S-Band Data Release: Access, Technical Comparison, and Real-World Applications
Overview
The July 2026 public release of NISAR S-band data marks a major milestone in Earth observation, offering global users access to high-quality radar imagery with a 48-hour latency. The S-band radar, operating at a 12 cm wavelength, excels at monitoring tree canopies and crop areas, while being five times less sensitive to ionospheric disturbances than L-band, making it especially valuable in polar regions. Advanced processing techniques, such as dual-band mitigation, further enhance data quality. User-friendly tools and workflows, including easy integration with GIS software, ensure that this unprecedented data volume is accessible and actionable for diverse applications, from agriculture to disaster response.