In a major milestone for international space cooperation, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA will jointly launch the NISAR satellite on July 30, 2025, from Sriharikota. The mission, touted as the world’s most advanced radar imaging satellite, was confirmed for launch by ISRO chairman V. Narayanan during a recent public address.
A powerful symbol of India–U.S. technological collaboration, the NISAR mission combines cutting-edge radar technology, environmental monitoring capabilities, and an open-data ethos that promises global impact.
Unmatched Imaging Power
NISAR will be the first satellite to use dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to monitor Earth’s surface changes with unmatched precision. This allows it to:
- Detect tiny deformations in terrain, ice sheets, or infrastructure
- Penetrate through clouds, smoke, and vegetation
- Operate day and night in all weather conditions
This makes NISAR far more versatile than conventional optical Earth observation satellites.
Specifications at a Glance
- Launch Date: July 30, 2025
- Time: 5:40 PM IST
- Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
- Orbit: 743 km sun-synchronous
- Weight: 2,392 kg
- Radar Bands: L-band (NASA), S-band (ISRO)
- Coverage: Global, with full Earth revisit every 12 days
Built for Climate, Built for Science
Designed primarily for environmental research and hazard assessment, NISAR will help answer crucial questions:
- Are glaciers melting faster than we thought?
- Is land subsiding due to excessive groundwater use?
- What are the early signs of seismic shifts?
By providing high-resolution, high-frequency measurements, the satellite will feed data into climate models, urban planning tools, and emergency response systems across the globe.
Global Data for Local Impact
While the satellite’s sensors scan the globe, its data will be especially beneficial for developing countries facing climate-related vulnerabilities. From flood zones in Bangladesh to landslide-prone regions in the Himalayas, NISAR will offer early warnings and post-disaster assessments that can guide smarter policymaking.
Engineering Marvel
Developing NISAR involved solving many engineering challenges—most notably the deployment of a bus-sized, 12-meter radar antenna in microgravity. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory led the radar design, while ISRO contributed the spacecraft platform and integration efforts.
The satellite also uses advanced onboard processing and data compression to transmit massive volumes of imaging data quickly and efficiently back to Earth stations.
Looking Forward
Post-launch, the mission will enter a 90-day commissioning phase to test and calibrate instruments. After that, NISAR is expected to operate for at least three years, with options to extend based on hardware health.
According to ISRO, the GSLV Mk-II has been modified with extra shielding and vibration dampeners to accommodate the delicate radar instruments and ensure a smooth orbital insertion.
Conclusion
As the world prepares for the July 30 liftoff, NISAR represents not just an engineering achievement, but a testament to what global collaboration in science can accomplish. From predicting earthquakes to safeguarding food security, this mission could transform our understanding of Earth’s dynamic systems—and help us respond better to the challenges ahead.
