After years of development and multiple delays, NASA and ISRO have officially confirmed that their joint satellite mission, NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), is scheduled for launch in June 2025 aboard ISRO’s GSLV-F16 rocket from Sriharikota. This mission marks a major milestone in international space collaboration and Earth observation technology.
NISAR is the world’s first Earth-observing satellite equipped with dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar; NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band. This advanced technology allows the satellite to monitor changes in the Earth’s surface with centimeter-level accuracy, even through clouds and dense vegetation. The satellite, weighing 2.8 tonnes and costing over ₹5,800 crore, will scan nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days, providing critical data for scientists and policymakers.
NISAR’s primary goal is to measure and track changes in ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses. The satellite will provide high-resolution data on:
Natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity
Sea level rise and groundwater depletion
Biomass and forest cover changes
Movement of glaciers and ice sheets
Land use and infrastructure changes
This data will be vital for disaster response, climate change research, and resource management, helping governments and scientists better understand and respond to environmental threats.
NISAR’s dual-band radar system is a significant leap forward in Earth observation. It can detect surface changes as small as a few centimeters, making it ideal for monitoring subtle shifts in the planet’s crust, vegetation, and ice. The satellite’s hardware was jointly developed and integrated in the United States and India, featuring deployable radar reflectors, GPS receivers, and high-speed data communication systems.
With its cloud-based data storage and open-access policy, NISAR will make its data available to researchers and policymakers worldwide, supporting global efforts in disaster management, environmental protection, and sustainable development.