ISRO Readies 100‑Meter NISAR Soil‑Moisture Data for Nationwide Use Every 12 Days

Overview

• NISAR is systematically imaging India in S‑ and L‑bands, enabling two soil‑moisture observations every 12 days at 100‑meter resolution.
• ISRO has demonstrated consistent 100‑meter soil‑moisture retrievals across diverse agro‑climatic regions and released full‑swath maps showing regional wetness patterns.
• A physics‑based retrieval algorithm developed at SAC‑ISRO underpins the products to ensure scientific robustness and operational reliability.
• The dual frequencies offer complementary strengths, with L‑band improving sensitivity under vegetation and S‑band enhancing surface detail for more reliable retrievals.
• Operational Level‑4 products will be produced at NRSC/IMGEOS and disseminated via the Bhoonidhi Portal for farmers, planners, researchers and agencies, while calibration with in‑situ sensors and development of finer field‑scale products continue.