IIT Patna Joins Prestigious NASA-ISRO NISAR Satellite Mission with Corner Reflector Installation

Patna: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna has achieved a landmark feat by successfully installing a Corner Reflector (CR) for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mission, marking a significant step in India’s space research endeavors. The installation, completed on March 6, positions IIT Patna as the first IIT outside the National Center for Geodesy (NCG), IIT Kanpur, to host a NISAR CR site.

The initiative, led by the NCG team from IIT Kanpur, was executed on the IIT Patna campus under the leadership of Director, Prof. T.N. Singh, and the efforts of Dr. Amit Kumar Verma, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Dr. Akshar Tripathi, Geomatics Lab In-charge.

This development places IIT Patna prominently on India’s geospatial research map, opening doors for extensive research and collaborative opportunities. The Corner Reflector will play a vital role in calibrating and course-correcting the NISAR satellite’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor.

The NISAR satellite, a joint venture between NASA and ISRO, is set to launch in March 2025. It is the world’s first SAR sensor capable of operating in both L and S bands, promising to revolutionize Earth observation, climate monitoring, and disaster management.

“This is a moment of immense pride for IIT Patna and the entire region,” stated Prof. T.N. Singh. “Our involvement in the NISAR mission underscores our commitment to cutting-edge research and technological advancement. We are honored to contribute to this globally significant project.”

Dr. Amit Kumar Verma emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “The installation of the Corner Reflector at our campus signifies our growing influence in space science and technology. It will provide invaluable data for the NISAR mission and enhance our research capabilities.”

Dr. Akshar Tripathi highlighted the crucial role of the Geomatics Lab and the student research group in the project’s success. “The dedication and hard work of our students and technical staff have been instrumental in this achievement,” he said.

The event was attended by key members of the IIT Patna community, including Shailendra Kumar Singh, Junior Technical Superintendent of CEE, and students from the Geomatics Research Group: Prashant Kumar, Sudhanshu Ranjan, and Srikant Kumar.