Historic NISAR Satellite Launch: India-US Space Collaboration to Redefine Global Earth Data Access

India's ISRO and NASA launch the game-changing NISAR satellite on July 30th! Discover how this Indo-US mission will provide critical global data.

New Delhi, India – In a monumental leap for international scientific cooperation, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mission is set for launch on July 30, 2025, at 17:40 hrs IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today underscored the profound impact of this joint Earth observation mission, declaring it a "Global Benchmark for Indo-US Scientific Collaboration" and a pivotal step in upscaling ISRO's international collaborations.

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Dr. Singh, Minister for Science and Technology, highlighted that this much-anticipated launch, aboard India’s GSLV-F16 rocket, signifies the maturing of strategic scientific partnerships and solidifies India's emergence as a credible global leader in advanced Earth observation systems. "This mission is not just about a satellite launch—it is a moment that symbolises what two democracies committed to science and global welfare can achieve together," he stated, emphasizing NISAR's far-reaching benefits.

NISAR: A Global Partner for Humanity

The NISAR satellite, a 2,392 kg marvel of engineering, embodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India becoming a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’—a global partner that actively contributes to the collective good of humanity. Dr. Jitendra Singh elaborated, "NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world, especially in areas like disaster management, sustainable agriculture, and climate monitoring."

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite | Credit: NASA

This ambitious project seamlessly integrates the specialized expertise of both space agencies. NASA has contributed the cutting-edge L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a high-rate telecommunication subsystem, GPS receivers, and an impressive deployable 12-meter unfurlable antenna. ISRO, in turn, has developed the S-Band SAR payload, the robust spacecraft bus designed to house both instruments, the powerful GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and all associated launch services. This marks a significant technical achievement for ISRO, as it is the first time a GSLV rocket will deploy a satellite into a sun-synchronous polar orbit.

Revolutionizing Disaster Response and Climate Insights

NISAR's capabilities extend significantly beyond traditional Earth observation. Once in its sun-synchronous orbit, it will offer continuous, high-resolution imaging of the Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days. "It will allow continuous monitoring of ecosystem disturbances and help assess natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides," Dr. Singh explained. "It will track even subtle changes in the Earth’s crust and surface movement."

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The dual radar payload aboard NISAR, utilizing innovative SweepSAR technology, will provide all-weather, day-and-night imaging with a wide swath of 242 kilometres. Critically, the satellite’s data will also be used for:

1. Sea ice classification
2. Ship detection
3. Shoreline monitoring
4. Storm tracking
5. Precise crop mapping
6. Monitoring soil moisture changes

These diverse applications are vital for governments, researchers, and global disaster management agencies alike, enabling proactive planning and rapid response.

Democratizing Critical Earth Data for a Better Future

A key differentiator of the NISAR mission is its commitment to open data accessibility. All data generated by NISAR will be made freely available within one to two days of observation, and in near real-time during emergencies. 

This democratization of satellite data is expected to empower global scientific research and decision-making, particularly benefiting developing nations that may lack independent access to such sophisticated capabilities.

Dr. Jitendra Singh passionately affirmed the broader implications of this mission: "Missions like NISAR are no longer confined to scientific curiosity—they are instrumental in planning, risk assessment, and policy intervention. 

As climate change impacts intensify, timely and accurate data from satellites like NISAR will be indispensable for governments to act proactively."

With a joint investment exceeding $1.5 billion over its long gestation, the NISAR mission represents a transformative moment in international space cooperation and Earth science. 

As the countdown to July 30th commences, Dr. Jitendra Singh's words resonate: "NISAR is not just a satellite; it is India’s scientific handshake with the world." This launch is set to redefine how humanity observes and understands our changing planet.

Source - PIB Release.