Latest news with #NikkiFox
NDTV
24-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
ISRO-NASA's $1.3 Billion Revolutionary Earth Imaging Satellite NISAR Set For Launch
In a historic collaboration between the United States and India, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite, also known as NISAR, is poised to revolutionise how we observe and understand our planet. Scheduled for launch on the evening of July 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota, NISAR represents the largest joint Earth science mission ever undertaken by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The latest NASA-ISRO collaboration follows the successful mission to the International Space Station by Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. At its core, NISAR is designed to monitor changes in Earth's surface with unprecedented precision, capturing movements as small as a centimetre. This capability is vital for tracking natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity, and glacial shifts, as well as human-induced changes like urban expansion, agricultural development, and infrastructure stress. ISRO says the NISAR satellite weighs 2,392 kg, and it will scan the entire globe and provide all-weather, day-and-night data at a 12-day interval and enable a wide range of applications. NISAR can detect changes in the Earth's surface, such as ground deformation, ice sheet movement and vegetation dynamics. Further applications include sea and ice classification, ship detection, shoreline monitoring, storm characterisation, changes in soil moisture, mapping and monitoring of surface water resources and disaster response. What sets NISAR apart is its dual-frequency radar system, a first-of-its-kind configuration in space. NASA has contributed the L-band radar, which penetrates vegetation and soil to reveal subsurface changes, while ISRO has provided the S-band radar, optimised for detecting surface-level features like foliage and terrain. These radars are mounted on a 12-meter mesh reflector antenna, roughly the size of a school bus, allowing the satellite to scan nearly all of Earth's land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. The satellite's ability to operate day and night, in all weather conditions, ensures a continuous and reliable stream of data. This is especially critical for regions prone to disasters, where timely information can mean the difference between life and death. As Nikki Fox, Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, emphasises, "NISAR's data will help ensure the health and safety of those impacted on Earth, as well as the infrastructure that supports them." Beyond disaster response, NISAR will play a pivotal role in climate science, ecosystem monitoring, and resource management. It will help track groundwater depletion, forest density, wetland flooding, and coastal vegetation, offering insights that are essential for food and water security. More than 180 organisations from local governments to private companies are already preparing to use NISAR's data to inform decisions and policies. The mission also showcases the power of international cooperation. As Wendy Edelstein, NISAR's Deputy Project Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), noted, "NISAR is a 50-50 partnership between NASA and ISRO. It represents the largest collaboration in space between the United States and India." It has cost upwards of $1.3 billion. The satellite was built and tested over five years, with extensive integration work carried out in both countries. Ms Edelstein herself spent over 150 days in India working alongside ISRO engineers, highlighting the deep commitment and mutual respect between the two space agencies. Technologically, NISAR employs synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and interferometry to create high-resolution images and detect surface motion. SAR allows the satellite to simulate a much larger antenna by combining thousands of radar pulses, resulting in detailed imagery. Interferometry, on the other hand, enables the measurement of ground displacement over time by comparing radar signals from different passes. These techniques provide a 3D view of Earth's surface dynamics, crucial for understanding tectonic shifts, glacier movements, and land subsidence. The satellite's data will be open and accessible, aligning with NASA's commitment to open science. This ensures that researchers, policymakers, and emergency responders worldwide can benefit from NISAR's insights. As Karen St. Germain, Director of NASA's Earth Science Division, puts it, "NISAR is a model for the next generation of Earth observation capabilities." For India, NISAR is a strategic milestone in its growing space ambitions. It complements the country's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, recent lunar and solar missions, and its expanding role in global space diplomacy. The launch also underscores India's technical prowess, with ISRO providing the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F16) launch vehicle, spacecraft bus, solar arrays, and ground support. The excitement surrounding NISAR is palpable. Paul Rosen, NISAR's Project Scientist at JPL, described the mission as the culmination of decades of work, calling it a "high-definition movie of the Earth." He highlighted how NISAR's radar can "see through foliage, study building footprints, measure flood depth," and even detect subtle shifts in tectonic plates. As the countdown to launch begins, NISAR stands as a beacon of scientific innovation and international unity. It promises to deepen our understanding of Earth's complex systems, enhance our ability to respond to environmental challenges, and inspire future collaborations in space exploration.
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The One Show star makes BBC show announcement and it's bad news for fans
The One Show star makes BBC show announcement and it's bad news for fans Alex Jones and Clara Amfo presented The One Show on Wednesday night and they celebrated 40 years of Watchdog The One Show: Nikki says Watchdog will be taking a break A The One Show star made a sudden announcement about the BBC show as they confirmed one key segment will be taken off air for summer. During Wednesday's (June 25) episode of the hit chat show, Alex Jones and Clara Amfo were joined by Matt Allwright and Nikki Fox as they celebrated 40 years of Watchdog. To mark the special milestone, they dedicated the show to the programme as Matt and Nikki looked back at some of their more recent success stories, including everything from undercover investigations to big business policy changes and mega refunds. At the end of the show, Matt went on to say: "Happy birthday Watchdog and everybody who has worked on the show, amazing people. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us over the last 40 years because without you it would not mean a thing." Matt Allwright and Nikki Fox celebrated 40 years of Watchdog on BBC The One Show (Image: BBC ) Nikki jumped in: 'We can not do it without your stories.' The TV star then confirmed that her show will be taking a 'break' as she announced: 'Watch Dog is going to be taking a break over summer and we are back in September so please keep them coming.' Article continues below The beloved consumer investigation show, first broadcast on BBC1 on July 14th 1985, has saved people millions of pounds as it has taken to task rogue traders, even uncovering fraudulent activity. After 35 years, with 1,084 episodes aired, Watchdog was sadly discontinued as a standalone series in 2020, but has remained as a crucial segment on BBC's The One Show ever since. Over the years, some of the most astonishing cases include a fake banking app, counterfeit Royal Mail stamps and non-existent free flights. Nikki Fox announced that Watchdog will be taking a break for summer (Image: BBC ) Ahead of the anniversary special, Matt said: 'We've had instances of getting tens of £1,000s of pounds back for people. But the ripple effect of that is all those other people who look at that and use it as a negotiating tactic. Whatever we've got back for people, and it's millions of pounds without a shadow of a doubt, you can add a multiplier to that.' He added: 'I don't like bullies. I don't like people that use the strength of their position to get one over on other people. I think you know that sense of injustice, where you can see somebody who has got your money and doesn't feel the need to do right by you because they're a big company and they'll never see you again. Article continues below "I feel a sense of pride that once a week you get the chance to turn that on its head and say, 'No, you're not always going to win'.' The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Watchdog warning over spray foam insulation as show celebrates 40th year
Watchdog warning over spray foam insulation as show celebrates 40th year The consumer rights programme is currently fronted by Allwright and Nikki Fox, who have marked the milestone by discussing some of its success stories, which include undercover investigations and policy changes. Watchdog's Matt Allwright has found himself in some sticky situations over the years. (Image: BBC ) Homeowners should be wary of companies trying to dishonestly sell spray foam insulation, BBC Watchdog presenter Matt Allwright has warned as the show celebrates its 4Oth year. The consumer rights programme is currently fronted by Allwright and Nikki Fox, who have marked the milestone by discussing some of its success stories, which include undercover investigations and policy changes. The pair said inflated ticket prices and mis-billing by energy companies were some of the biggest cases they had covered, and the show has seen "tens of thousands of pounds" returned to customers. "I think being part of that process is a real privilege, and those sorts of roles don't come along very often. I really cherish it. I love it," Allwright said. Asked about the most shocking story he had covered recently, Allwright said it was the misselling of spray foam. Article continues below "Most homes don't need spray foam insulation," he said. "You can use fibreglass matting, like most of us have in a loft. "The problem with it is that it can also cause damage to a home in certain circumstances, and as a result, a lot of mortgage lenders aren't happy about lending on a home that's got it. It's also very difficult to remove. "You've got to make that sort of thing really clear – if you're selling something that costs thousands of pounds and would cost thousands of pounds to remove and could therefore stop the sale of your home at the point where you need it." Article continues below Watchdog has been fronted by various presenters since it first aired on BBC One in 1985, perhaps most memorably by Anne Robinson and Nick Frost. In 2020, the BBC announced it would cease to be broadcast as a standalone programme, and would be shown as a feature within The One Show. Fox and Allwright discuss their memories of the show during a special programme, Watchdog At 40, which will air on The One Show at 7pm on Wednesday on BBC One.
Leader Live
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Watchdog warning over spray foam insulation as show celebrates 40th year
The consumer rights programme is currently fronted by Allwright and Nikki Fox, who have marked the milestone by discussing some of its success stories, which include undercover investigations and policy changes. The pair said inflated ticket prices and mis-billing by energy companies were some of the biggest cases they had covered, and the show has seen 'tens of thousands of pounds' returned to customers. 'I think being part of that process is a real privilege, and those sorts of roles don't come along very often. I really cherish it. I love it,' Allwright said. Asked about the most shocking story he had covered recently, Allwright said it was the misselling of spray foam. 'Most homes don't need spray foam insulation,' he said. 'You can use fibreglass matting, like most of us have in a loft. 'The problem with it is that it can also cause damage to a home in certain circumstances, and as a result, a lot of mortgage lenders aren't happy about lending on a home that's got it. It's also very difficult to remove. 'You've got to make that sort of thing really clear – if you're selling something that costs thousands of pounds and would cost thousands of pounds to remove and could therefore stop the sale of your home at the point where you need it.' Watchdog has been fronted by various presenters since it first aired on BBC One in 1985, perhaps most memorably by Anne Robinson and Nick Frost. In 2020, the BBC announced it would cease to be broadcast as a standalone programme, and would be shown as a feature within The One Show. Fox and Allwright discuss their memories of the show during a special programme, Watchdog At 40, which will air on The One Show at 7pm on Wednesday on BBC One.
South Wales Guardian
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Watchdog warning over spray foam insulation as show celebrates 40th year
The consumer rights programme is currently fronted by Allwright and Nikki Fox, who have marked the milestone by discussing some of its success stories, which include undercover investigations and policy changes. The pair said inflated ticket prices and mis-billing by energy companies were some of the biggest cases they had covered, and the show has seen 'tens of thousands of pounds' returned to customers. 'I think being part of that process is a real privilege, and those sorts of roles don't come along very often. I really cherish it. I love it,' Allwright said. Asked about the most shocking story he had covered recently, Allwright said it was the misselling of spray foam. 'Most homes don't need spray foam insulation,' he said. 'You can use fibreglass matting, like most of us have in a loft. 'The problem with it is that it can also cause damage to a home in certain circumstances, and as a result, a lot of mortgage lenders aren't happy about lending on a home that's got it. It's also very difficult to remove. 'You've got to make that sort of thing really clear – if you're selling something that costs thousands of pounds and would cost thousands of pounds to remove and could therefore stop the sale of your home at the point where you need it.' Watchdog has been fronted by various presenters since it first aired on BBC One in 1985, perhaps most memorably by Anne Robinson and Nick Frost. In 2020, the BBC announced it would cease to be broadcast as a standalone programme, and would be shown as a feature within The One Show. Fox and Allwright discuss their memories of the show during a special programme, Watchdog At 40, which will air on The One Show at 7pm on Wednesday on BBC One.
