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Observations from the joint NASA/ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mission provide new opportunities for monitoring changes in Earth’s ecosystems, cryosphere, vegetation, sea level, groundwater, and natural hazards.

Learn more about NISAR

Type

Earth Observation Satellite

Data Center

ASF DAAC

Launch

July 30, 2025

Objective

Observe and measure changes on Earth's surface
NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) each provided SAR instruments, at two different radar frequencies, to measure changes on Earth's surface in unprecedented detail.
Learn more about NASA's partnership with ISRO
The logo for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in blue and orange

NISAR products are datasets derived from L-band radar measurements that help track changes on Earth’s surface over time. They range from foundational radar data to ready-to-use maps showing land movement, ice changes, vegetation structure, and soil moisture. Together, these products turn radar observations into actionable information that supports research and informed decision-making about our changing planet.

The NISAR Science Data System (SDS) produces Level 0, 1, and 2 products from L-band radar data, while the NISAR Project Science Team develops Level 3 products. To help users prepare, ASF DAAC provides sample datasets ahead of the full mission release. These samples allow users to explore the data, test workflows, and ensure their tools are ready, giving them an early opportunity to understand and begin working with NISAR data.

Two of the most widely used products include:

GCOV Products

NISAR Geocoded Polarimetric Covariance (GCOV) products help scientists study the shape and texture of Earth’s surface using radar signals. The satellite sends microwaves down to Earth and measures how they bounce back. GCOV data looks at patterns in those returned signals to learn more about land, forests, ice, and water.

These products help scientists understand things like forest structure, how thick or dense vegetation is, and how land surfaces differ from one place to another. GCOV data is carefully processed so it is ready to use in maps and studies. This makes it easier for researchers to compare changes over time and across large areas of the world. The GCOV products are terrain-corrected and projected onto a standard map projection.

Interferometric Products

NISAR interferometric products are used to measure very small changes in Earth’s surface. The satellite takes radar images of the same place on different days and times. By comparing these images, scientists can see if the surface has moved by as little as a few centimeters.

These products help track events like earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, and sinking ground (subsidence). They also show how glaciers and ice sheets move. By turning radar signals into clear maps of motion, interferometric products help scientists better understand how Earth’s surface changes over time.

Learn about these and other NISAR products in the NISAR Data User Guide

 

NISAR Urgent Response Data provides faster access to NISAR imagery when natural disasters or other major events occur. When NISAR collects data in response to an event -- such as an earthquake, volcanic activity, flood, or landslide -- the data are flagged as Urgent Response (UR). Once flagged, these data are prioritized for downlink and processing so they are made available as quickly as possible. 

NISAR Urgent Response products will be stored in specific collections in CMR. There will be one collection for each product level (L0-L2) instead of being spread across different CMR collections corresponding to each NISAR product type (as is done with standard products). Within the Vertex search interface, users can specify that they are specifically interested in UR products as part of their search parameters.

Since the products are processed early, certain processing parameters such as orbit ephemeris data won’t be as precise as they are for standard products. All UR products will be processed as standard products using the normal NISAR processing pipeline. UR products will be deleted after the standard products are available.

Certain data partners will be allowed to request NISAR acquisitions to be acquired as UR. Note that NISAR won’t acquire data that wouldn’t otherwise be acquired in response to events; the UR designation only assigns priority downlink and processing for acquisitions already in the NISAR acquisition plan.

Composite Release ID Table (CRID)

A Composite Release ID (CRID) is a unique identifier to provide provenance of the aggregate software and static input file versions used in the generation of a product granule.

CRIDRelease Date Manifest (.csv)Notes
X05007Jan. 1, 2026 01:18:00 UTCDownload NISAR_LSAR_CRID_X05007.csv
eXperimental Release
  • L0B: Sub-pixel shift correction
P05006Dec. 23, 2025 01:27:00 UTCDownload NISAR_LSAR_CRID_P05006.csv
  • L0B: Move left gap trimming after listing negative first Tx gap 
  • L0B: Update padding algorithm to match latest from ADT with np.floor
  • L0B: Correct scence_center_spacing when center freq is 0 (partial fix)
  • L0B: Swap WAVEGEN low rate TLM to be consistent with high rate TLM that is swapped with QP 
  • RSLC: Update RSLC schema parameter from block_size to wavelet_size
  • RSLC: Address decimating offset issue with frequencyB interferogram by reading slant ranges directly from the RSLC instead of RUNW to ensure proper alignment and accurate ionospheric estimation.
  • RSLC: science.LSAR.RSLC.metadata.processingInformation.inputs.l0bGranules changed to reflect the granule id of the L0B that was focused instead of the input file path used in the SDS processing system
  • INSAR: Output polarization of freq A and B into .met json for PCM to correctly determine cross polarizations
  • INSAR: Fix a bug in splitSpectrum for Quad-pol data when splitting main band (if needed)
  • INSAR: Add Polyfitting to compute the range and azimuth offsets for the fine resampling instead of rubbersheeting
  • Parameter Set Files (PSF) config: Updated config files for freq A/B for ionosphere estimate, offset parameters, and INSAR deramping methods
  • QA in General: Make each subgroup independently optional in QA schemas
P05000Oct. 16, 2025 13:06:00 UTCDownload NISAR_LSAR_CRID_P05000.csv
  • Updated TFdb (TrackFrame Database)
  • Update L0A_TE to exit gracefully if all L0A data is corrupt
  • Update RSLC to address large number of RSLC failures
  • Update RSLC NESZ explicit receive only Angeline index
  • Update GSLC to accept corner reflector
  • Update GCOV for bug fixes and improve GCOV products in Quad-pol modes
  • Update INSAR to add radar coordinates into products and improve ionosphere estimation
  • Update INSAR metadata
  • Update SME2 for bug fix of VWC input order, antimeradian crossing, private variable bug
  • Update SME2 to compute Local Incidence angle on the fly at coarser posting than input GCOV product
  • Update SME2 with TSR algorithm update with solver function for better solution space control, SMAP climatology data disaggregation using soil texture information, changed the condition for masking, and etc. to improve the output image quality.
  • Update SME2 with DSG algorithm update with a static ancillary file input to read in the algorithm parameter (Beta) values instead of using a look up table. Note: The Beta values in the LUT is not optimal and will need to be updated in the future.
  • Update SME2 to use the full name of the processing Type metadata in the product
  • NISAR L1/L2 QA fixes
P00410Sept. 9, 2025 10:39:00 UTCDownload NISAR_LSAR_CRID_P004010.csv
  • Update L0B PGE code to remove .h5 from granuleId under identification group
  • Update L0B to correctly set listOfRxPolarizations for partial Quasi QuadCorrect look direction case-sensitivity and platformName value
    Update L0B look direction algorithm to set the epoch for both the orbit and attitude
  • Update L0B to not use SP because Header-only values are not correct for SP
  • Update L0B to for DM1/DM2 to remove RL_START dependency for slant_range and padding, also handle change in DM2 number of samples
  • Update L0B to address Frequency B alignment issues
  • Added padding parameters for the gap positions in L0B runconfig
  • Add filter delay and receive_only parameters as optional parameters in L0B runconfig
  • Update L0B productSpecificationVersion to match PIX XML version
  • Update L0B to create multipolygon in met for non self intersecting polygons over international data line (IDL) to allow DAAC to interpret granule location correctly over IDL
P00408Aug. 16, 2025 00:00:00 UTCDownload NISAR_LSAR_CRID_P00408.csv
  • Hi-Res Range-Doppler Single-Look Complex (RSLC) update for phase jumps
  • L0B update for phase jump and 4th gaps
  • DC_RADAR updates to support variable taps in DBF along the range line and to update antenna parser to allow finer Elevation/Azimuth (EL/AZ) angular spacing when their cuts over all channels are requested
P00407
July 30, 2025 00:00:00 UTC
Download NISAR_LSAR_CRID_P00407.csvLaunch release
Glossary of Terms - Click on the arrow to open a table describing terminology used
Item NameItem TypeItem Description
CRIDComposite Release IDComposite Release ID (CRID) is a unique identifier to provide provenance of the aggregate software and static input file versions listed in generation of a product granule
SDSSDS releaseScience Data System (SDS) version used to generate given product.
PCMPCM SWProcessing Control & Data Management Subsystem (PCM) used to orchestrate product generation within a given SDS
L0A_L_PGEPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L0A_L_PGE
L0A_CCPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L0A_CC
L0A_TEPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L0A_TE
L0A_CC_TEPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L0A_CC_TE
LSAR_Time_ExtractorPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of LSAR_Time_Extractor
L0B_L_PGEPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L0B_L_PGE
RSLC_L_PGE (l1_l2)PGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of RSLC_L_PGE
GSLC_L_PGE (l1_l2)PGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of GSLC_L_PGE
L2_L_GCOV (l1_l2)PGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L2_LGCOV
InSAR_L_PGE (l1_l2)PGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L2_InSAR_L_PGE
L3_L_SME2_PGEPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of L3_L_SME2_PGE
DC_RADAR_PGEPGE SWProduct Generation Executable (PGE) version of DC_RADAR_PGE
ISCE3 (l0b)ISCE3 SWAlgorithm version in l0b pge
ISCE3 (l1_l2)ISCE3 SWAlgorithm version in l1_l2 pges
ISCE3 (SME2)ISCE3 SWAlgorithm version in SME2_pge
ISCE3 (DC_RADAR)ISCE3 SWAlgorithm version in DC_RADAR_pge
L0A_L_RRSTProduct VersionProduct version of generated L0A_L_RRST product
L0B_L_RRSDProduct VersionProduct version of generated L0B_L_RRSD product
L1_L_RSLCProduct VersionProduct version of generated L1_L_RSLC product
L2_L_GSLCProduct VersionProduct version of generated L2_L_GSLC product
L2_L_GCOVProduct VersionProduct version of generarted L2_L_GCOV product
L1_L_RIFGProduct VersionProduct version of generated L1_L_RIFG product
L1_L_RUNWProduct VersionProduct version of generated L1_L_RUNW product
L1_L_ROFFProduct VersionProduct version of generated L1_L_ROFF product
L2_L_GOFFProduct VersionProduct version of generated L2_L_GOFF product
L2_L_GUNWProduct VersionProduct version of generated L2_L_GUNW product
DC_RADARProduct VersionProduct version of generated DC_RADAR product
L3_L_SME2Product VersionProduct version of generated L3_L_SME2 product
PRODUCT_VERSIONStatic FilePRODUCT_VERSION file used by SDS to lookup Product Version for a given CRID and PGE, which is then populated in metadata of the product
LSAR Parameter SetStatic FileLSAR Parameter Set used by SDS to help populate runconfigs at runtime for a given product by specifying processing parameters for a PGE
DEMStatic FileDigital Elevation Model (DEM) file set is digital representation of terrain elevation for the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission used by RSLC_L_PGE, GSLC_LPGE, L2_L_GCOV, InSAR_L_PGE, and DC_RADAR_PGE. 
- EPSG 4326 is based on the Copernicus DEM 30-m (2023_1). 
- EPSG 3413 is based on the Copernicus DEM 30-m (2023_1), referenced to the WGS84 ellipsoid and projected over the NSIDC Sea Ice Polar Stereographic North coordinate system. 
- EPSG 3031 is based on the Copernicus DEM 30-m (2023_1), referenced to the WGS84 ellipsoid and projected over the Antarctic Polar Stereographic coordinate system.
LIAStatic FileLocal Incidence Angle (LIA) version set used by the SDS to generate SME2 products. A copy of this LIA data is embedded in the L2_L_STATIC set for convenience for users to find all static layers in one location.
Water MaskStatic FileWater Mask version set used by the SDS to generate RUNW/GUNW products. A copy of this water mask data is embedded in the L2_L_STATIC set for convenience for users to find all static layers in one location.
VWCStatic FileVegetation Water Content (VWC) version set used by the SDS to generate SME2 products.
L2_L_STATICStatic FileL2_L_STATIC version used to provide static layer content matching the geographical area of a product in a single convenient .h5 file for the user. Static layer content includes:
- digitalElevationModel
- layoverShadowMask
- localIncidenceAngle
- losUnitVectorX
- losUnitVectorY
- projection
- rtcGammaToBetaFactor
- rtcGammaToSigmaFactor
- waterMask
TFDBStatic FileTFDB version used by the SDS to generate RSLC products. The TFDB specifies the collection modes of the observations around over the globe, which is delineated by track and frame number in the database.
RADAR_MODE_LUTStatic FileRADAR_MODE_LUT version used by PCM to map RCID to Radar Mode short text populated in filename of RSLC product
Flight Table WaveformStatic FileFlight Table Waveform version used by L0B_L_PGE
Flight Table ParametersStatic FileFlight Table Parameters version used by L0B_L_PGE
ANTPATStatic FileANTPAT file used by the SDS to generate RSLC_L_PGE and DC_RADAR_PGE products.
BFPQStatic FileANTPAT file used by the SDS to generate L0B_L_PGE
L_CHAN_DATAStatic FileANTPAT file used by the SDS to generate L0B_L_PGE
LSAR_EXT_CALStatic FileLSAR_EXT_CAL version used by RSLC_L_PGE
LSAR_INT_CALStatic FileLSAR_INT_CAL version used by RSLC_L_PGE
TSR_STATICStatic FileTSR_STATIC used by L3_L_SME2
PMI_STATICStatic FilePMI_STATIC used by L3_L_SME2
SM_STATICStatic FileSM_STATIC used by L3_L_SME2

Instruments Aboard NISAR

Instrument Name Operational Date(s) Spectral Resolution Type of Instrument
NISAR L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (L-SAR) Imaging Radar
NISAR S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (S-SAR) Imaging Radar

Frequently Asked Questions

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