NISAR Mission Launch Today: ISRO and NASA Set To Launch Collaborative Earth Observation Satellite 'NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar’ Today From Sriharikota
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA are set to launch their collaborative Earth observation satellite, NISAR, on Wednesday, at 5:40 p.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission, valued at $1.5 billion, aims to revolutionise the way we monitor Earth's surface, particularly in tracking natural disasters and environmental changes.
New Delhi, July 30: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA are set to launch their collaborative Earth observation satellite, NISAR, on Wednesday, at 5:40 p.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The mission, valued at $1.5 billion, aims to revolutionise the way we monitor Earth's surface, particularly in tracking natural disasters and environmental changes. NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a landmark project, marking the first time the Earth will be observed using dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar, NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band. Asteroid 2024 YR4 Threatens Moon: Building-Sized Space Rock Could Hit Moon in 2032; Possible Collision May Trigger Destructive Meteor Shower on Earth, Satellite Chaos.
These radars will be operated using NASA’s 12-meter unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, mounted on ISRO’s customized I-3K satellite bus. Weighing 2,392 kilograms, the satellite will be carried into space aboard India’s GSLV-F16 rocket. The satellite will be inserted into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 740 km, where it will scan the Earth’s landmass and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days with high-resolution imagery over a 242-kilometer swath, utilizing SweepSAR technology for the first time.
“The Earth observation satellite jointly developed by ISRO and NASA will be sent into space on July 30 by the GSLV-F16 rocket made in India,” said ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan. He emphasised the satellite's role in providing 24x7 imagery regardless of weather or lighting conditions. Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport on Sunday night (July 27), Narayanan added, “It can take pictures of the Earth 24 hours a day in all weather conditions and the satellite can detect landslides, aid in disaster management and monitor climate change.” Prehistoric Matriarchy in Turkey Revealed by DNA Analysis.
Earlier on Sunday, the Department of Space said in a press release, "The NISAR mission combines the technological expertise of both agencies. NASA has contributed the L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a high-rate telecommunication subsystem, GPS receivers, and a deployable 12-meter unfurlable antenna. ISRO, on its part, has provided the S-Band SAR payload, the spacecraft bus to accommodate both payloads, the GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and all associated launch services."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2025 09:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).