India–US Landmark Mission: $1.2 B NASA–ISRO NISAR Satellite to Launch on July 30

India–US Landmark Mission: $1.2 B NASA–ISRO NISAR Satellite to Launch on July 30

Sriharikota, July 21 — A historic milestone in space cooperation is upon us. After more than a decade of intense collaboration, NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) are all set to launch the NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite on July 30, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, using ISRO’s GSLV‑F16 rocket at 5:40 PM IST. Once in orbit, NISAR will ascend to a 743 km sun-synchronous orbit, embarking on its mission to map Earth’s changes with unmatched precision.
 

What Makes NISAR Truly Revolutionary

With a staggering budget of $1.2 billion, equally shared between NASA and ISRO, NISAR is the first dual-frequency radar satellite of its kind. It combines NASA’s L-band (1.25 GHz) and ISRO’s S-band (3.2 GHz) synthetic aperture radars. This powerful configuration will allow scientists to detect surface changes smaller than one centimeter — from shifting fault lines to melting glaciers.

Fully assembled with NASA’s 12‑meter unfurlable mesh reflector antenna mounted on ISRO’s custom I3K satellite bus, NISAR weighs approximately 2,392 kg. The satellite’s SweepSAR technology can scan a 242 km-wide swath of Earth in fine detail, delivering all-weather, day-and-night insights at 12-day revisit intervals.
 

Monitoring Earth Like Never Before
 

NISAR is designed to tackle critical environmental challenges:

Ground Deformation & Disaster Response

Preemptive detection of landslide-prone slopes and tectonic shifts. Immediate disaster mapping after earthquakes to guide rescue operations.

Cryosphere Studies

High-resolution tracking of ice sheets in polar regions and the Himalayas—even under heavy cloud cover.

Vegetation & Biomass Measurement

Accurate forest biomass estimates to assess deforestation and support climate models.

Water Resource & Agriculture Management

Tracking soil moisture, monitoring farmland health, and mapping surface water bodies and wetlands.

Coastal Monitoring & Storm Damage Assessment

Precise monitoring of shoreline erosion, vessel activity, and areas impacted by cyclones or flooding.

These capabilities are not only essential for scientific insight but also for urgent real-world applications—in disaster relief, infrastructure planning, and climate resilience.

 


A Decade in the Making


The seeds of NISAR were planted in 2014, when NASA and ISRO formalized an agreement. The mission was shaped by the 2007 Earth science decadal survey, which prioritized tracking global ecosystems, terrestrial deformation, and cryosphere dynamics. NASA committed to delivering the L-band radar, high-speed data system, GPS, and onboard recording. ISRO, in turn, supplied the satellite bus, S-band radar, and the launch vehicle.

Originally planned for 2024, the mission saw a year’s delay. NASA officials identified issues with its 12-meter antenna, which required precision tuning and testing in the US. These corrections were completed, and the satellite was returned to India for final checks before the historic launch.


Political & Technological Salience

This mission holds broad geopolitical and technological weight. In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged it as a symbol of global scientific partnership, following discussions with former US President Donald Trump. Now, as India strengthens its foothold in advanced space science, this joint endeavour highlights mutual trust and shared purposes.

On the technical side, NISAR places India’s space capabilities among the world’s elite. Delivering high-tech radar science from Sriharikota reflects both national ambition and international collaboration.


From Space Data to Tangible Change


The satellite’s 12-day scans will generate a wealth of data, supporting applications far beyond scientific curiosity:

  • Urban Planning – Mapping ground subsidence and monitoring built infrastructure to avoid structural risks.
  • Transportation & Infrastructure – Assessing damage to roads, railways, and bridges after natural disasters.
  • Conservation & Forestry – Enabling evidence-based policy for deforestation control and sustainable development.
  • Agriculture – Improving irrigation management and supporting farmers with moisture data.
  • Climate Strategy – Supplying critical inputs for global climate models and emissions tracking.

In essence, NISAR represents a data revolution—transforming raw space observations into actionable policies and resilient communities.

 

Launch Day: What to Expect


On launch day, global attention will converge on Sriharikota, as engineers and space enthusiasts await the GSLV‑F16’s ignition. Following a successful liftoff and orbit insertion, a period of deployment, calibration, and system checks will ensure optimal performance before data collection begins.

The inaugural global scan is expected soon after, marking the beginning of NISAR’s mission to watch our planet more closely than ever before.

 

Conclusion: A Beacon for Earth & Innovation
 

NISAR’s launch embodies the potential of international cooperation—uniting NASA and ISRO in pursuit of science, sustainability, and national advancement. As it beams back images and data, the satellite will not only help us better understand Earth’s systems but also empower humanity to protect and preserve our shared home.

With NISAR, we step into a new era of planetary stewardship—where space-born precision helps ground-level transformation. July 30, 2025 won’t just mark a satellite’s liftoff—it will signal a powerful beginning for global environmental action.