New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French Space Agency CNES are forming a partnership for a new satellite mission named Trishna. This satellite will monitor climate change by delivering detailed observations of the Earth’s surface temperature, vegetation health, and water cycle dynamics with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Trishna is short for Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment, and is set to launch in 2025.
The primary goals of Trishna are to:
- Monitor energy and water use in the continental biosphere
- Measure terrestrial water stress and water use efficiency
- Provide high-resolution data on coastal and inland water quality
Unique Capabilities
Trishna has a high spatial resolution (57m for land/coastal areas, 1km for ocean/polar regions) and revisits areas every 2-3 days enabling detailed monitoring of surface temperatures, soil moisture, evapotranspiration rates, and vegetation health.
Technical Specifications
The 770 kg satellite is expected to orbit at an altitude of 761 km in a sun-synchronous orbit. It will have two advanced imaging payloads:
- A Thermal Infrared (TIR) instrument from CNES to map surface temperatures
- A Visible-Shortwave Infrared (VSWIR) sensor from ISRO to monitor vegetation
Data delivered by Trishna will support various sectors:
- Agriculture: Improving irrigation and crop productivity
- Urban Planning: Mapping urban heat islands
- Water Resource Management: Tracking pollution in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
- Disaster Management: Detecting forest fires and volcanic activity
Trishna’s data will also improve climate models by providing insights into evapotranspiration, snow/glacier dynamics, and permafrost changes. This information will support efforts to fight against climate change. ISRO has not yet confirmed the exact launch date for Trishna.
