Its objective is to map “the surface of our planet” and “its constant and significant changes,” said Karen St. Germain, head of the NASA earth science department, the American space agency. “Some changes are made slowly. Others suddenly. Some are substantial, when others are subtle,” she said.
With the ability to detect these tiny changes, of the order of one centimeter, scientists will be able to detect the warning signs of natural disasters and of human origin, such as earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions or even the aging of infrastructure such as dams or bridges.
Equipped with a 12 -meter parabolic antenna that will be deployed in space, the satellite will photograph near the entire earth’s surface and its glacial surfaces twice every 12 days, since its 747 kilometers of altitude.
India notably wishes to study its coastal areas by following their annual development. The data will also make it possible to orient agricultural policies by mapping crops, by monitoring plant health and soil humidity.
