Launch of the potent NISAR Earth-monitoring satellite, in collaboration between India and NASA, scheduled for July 30.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved another milestone with the successful launch of NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), a highly advanced Earth-observing satellite, on July 30, 2025. This mission marks the third flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk II rocket and the second Earth-observing satellite mission using the GSLV Mk II rocket.
NISAR carries two radar instruments—an L-band radar developed by NASA and an S-band radar from ISRO. These radars provide high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging by bouncing microwave signals off Earth’s surface and capturing their return, enabling detection of surface changes as small as fractions of an inch.
The satellite will generate detailed three-dimensional views of Earth's land and ice, allowing scientists to track natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, floods, and volcanic activity. It also delivers crucial data on changes in ice sheets, glaciers, permafrost, forests, and wetlands worldwide.
The information gathered by NISAR supports disaster preparedness and response, environmental policy, agricultural monitoring, and studies related to climate change and ecosystem dynamics on a global scale. The mission is expected to last at least five years, providing valuable insights into human-induced land changes, including farm and ranch production, water use, and infrastructure development.
The mission is a significant milestone for ISRO and a symbol of over a decade of partnership between NASA and ISRO. It represents the world's most expensive civilian Earth imaging satellite, with a cost of approximately $1.3 to $1.5 billion.
The GSLV Mk II rocket, which launched NISAR, has a 138-ton solid rocket first stage and is aided by four liquid-fueled boosters at its base. The rocket stands nearly 170 feet (52 meters) tall, making it India's largest rocket. NISAR is scheduled for deployment 18.5 minutes after liftoff, in a circular polar orbit at an altitude of 464 miles (747 kilometers).
The launch took place using the GSLV Mk II rocket, which rolled out to the launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, last week. The launch was accompanied by the Newsletter of the website, providing breaking news, updates on rocket launches, and skywatching events.
This mission is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for the U.S. side and exemplifies cutting-edge international collaboration in Earth science and satellite technology. The launch of NISAR was also accompanied by the launch of Aditya-L1, India's first sun probe.
References: 1. ISRO 2. NASA 3. JPL 4. The Hindu 5. The Times of India
- The successful launch of NISAR by ISRO showcases the fusion of science and technology, marking a significant milestone in space-and-astronomy.
- The partnership between ISRO and NASA in the NISAR mission underscores the importance of science in predicting and mitigating natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.
- The incorporation of technology, most notably in NISAR's advanced radar instruments, will revolutionize our understanding of Earth's land and ice, contributing to climate change studies and ecosystem dynamics research.
