The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced its partnership with the French space agency CNES for the upcoming Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment- Trishna mission. Trishna is a highly ambitious satellite mission, scheduled to be launched in 2025. This is expected to support the analysis of climate change using space-based thermal infrared imaging and the sustainable management of precious natural resources like water.
Key highlights
- The 770 kg satellite will operate from a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 761 km, carrying two state-of-the-art imaging payloads. The Thermal Infrared (TIR) instrument developed by CNES will map surface temperature and emissivity in four thermal bands.
- ISRO’s Visible-Shortwave Infrared (VSWIR) sensor will complement it with observations in 7 spectral bands for vegetation monitoring.
- Trishna’s unique combination of high spatial resolution (57 m for land/coastal, 1 km for ocean/polar) and continuous revisit time of just 2-3 days makes it stand out.
- Trishna is designed to provide high spatial and high temporal resolution monitoring of Earth’s surface temperature, emissivity and biophysical and radiative variables for surface energy budget at regional to global scales.
- Primarily, Trishna mission will focus on detailed monitoring of the energy and water budgets of the continental biosphere to quantify terrestrial water stress and water use. It will also observe water quality and coastal and inland water dynamics.
- Additionally, the Trishna mission will also help in the comprehensive assessment of urban heat islands, detection of thermal anomalies associated with volcanic activity and geothermal resources, and accurate monitoring of snow-melt runoff and glacier dynamics.
- The mission will also offer critical data on aerosol optical depth, atmospheric water vapour, and cloud cover.
About ISRO
- Established in 1969, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the primary research and development agency of India.
- It functions under the Department of Space (DoS), which comes under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
- It is responsible for all kinds of space operations and explorations. It also explores collaboration and partnership opportunities in the field.
- Previously, it was known as the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), founded by the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962.
