The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, a collaborative effort between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is scheduled for launch on July 30, 2025, aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This mission represents a significant advancement in Earth observation technology.
Weighing approximately 2,392 kilograms, NISAR is equipped with dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems—NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band. This configuration enables the satellite to monitor Earth's land and ice-covered surfaces with high-resolution imaging capabilities. The mission aims to provide comprehensive data on ecosystem changes, ice sheet dynamics, and natural hazards, thereby enhancing our understanding of the planet's evolving systems.
Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit, NISAR will conduct global surveys, capturing data that is crucial for disaster management, climate research, and infrastructure monitoring. The satellite's advanced radar technology allows it to penetrate cloud cover and dense vegetation, ensuring consistent and reliable observations regardless of weather conditions.
The NISAR mission underscores the strength of international collaboration in space exploration and Earth science. By combining the expertise and resources of NASA and ISRO, the mission is poised to deliver valuable insights into Earth's processes, contributing to global efforts in environmental monitoring and disaster response.