NISAR Satellite Launch: ISRO NASA’s Joint Mission for Earth Observation 2025

NISAR Satellite Launch by ISRO and NASA marks a historic Earth observation milestone. Learn about GSLV-F16 launch, radar tech, applications, and Indo-US space cooperation.

ISRO–NASA Launches NISAR Satellite to Revolutionize Earth Observation

Joint Endeavour for Earth Science
On 30 July 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the NASA‑ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite aboard the GSLV‑F16 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit Weighing about 2,393 kg, NISAR is the world’s most expensive Earth-observation satellite, with a mission cost exceeding USD 1.5 billion, jointly funded by NASA and ISRO

Dual‑Band Synthetic Aperture Radar Technology
NISAR is unique due to its dual radar payload: an L‑band radar from NASA and an S‑band radar from ISRO. These operate in tandem to generate high-resolution, all‑weather, day‑night imaging, capable of detecting sub‑centimetre changes on Earth’s surface

Global Coverage and Frequent Revisit
The satellite orbits Earth approximately 14 times a day, covering almost all land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days It will revisit and image all regions with a swath width of nearly 240 km, delivering precise, repeat observations.

Applications in Disaster Management and Climate Science
By penetrating clouds and foliage, NISAR will monitor earthquakes, landslides, floods, coastal erosion, glacier melt and urban subsidence with unprecedented accuracy. The data will support disaster preparedness, infrastructure planning, agriculture, ecosystem monitoring, and climate research globally

Technological Milestone and Strategic Partnership
This marks ISRO’s first placement of a satellite into a Sun‑synchronous orbit using a GSLV, expanding India’s launch capabilities. The project underscores deep Indo‑US collaboration, symbolising a new era in shared scientific leadership and data-sharing for global good

NISAR Satellite Launch

Why this News is Important

Significance in Earth Observation and Science
NISAR represents a paradigm shift in how humanity studies Earth’s dynamic processes. With its dual-band radar, it provides high-fidelity data under all weather and light conditions, enabling scientists to detect minute changes in land, ice, and ecosystems. This capability directly addresses urgent needs in climate science, environmental monitoring and disaster resilience.

Strategic and Collaborative Importance
The mission signifies a landmark Indo‑US collaboration—the first combined effort in such a scale on Earth observation. It demonstrates India’s rising stature in global space science and reaffirms NASA and ISRO’s ability to work seamlessly across continents, strengthening diplomatic and scientific bonds.

Relevance to Exam Aspirants
For aspirants aiming for civil services, defence, teaching, banking, railways, or police positions, the NISAR mission connects to multiple syllabus domains: space technology, environment, disasters, climate change and international cooperation. Understanding NISAR’s objectives, capabilities and applications can deliver high-impact answers in their written and interview rounds.

Historical Context

Background of the NISAR Mission

The NISAR project was conceived over a decade ago as a collaboration between ISRO and NASA, intending to combine ISRO’s growing engineering expertise with NASA’s radar technology. The satellite underwent multiple delays—initially scheduled for March 2024, it was postponed due to a hardware upgrade involving coating the radar reflector to avoid overheating

Preparations and Collaboration

By October 2024, NASA had transported the integrated radar system to India. The payload underwent final integration and testing, culminating in movement to Sriharikota for launch in mid-2025 SRO’s realization of the mission also marked the first time a GSLV placed a satellite into a Sun‑synchronous orbit, expanding India’s launch portfolio beyond PSLV missions

Legacy and Vision

NISAR builds on earlier ISRO missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and RISAT‑series, but stands apart by offering dual-frequency SAR technology and open-data accessibility. The data policy allows global access, supporting inclusive climate action, research, and governance initiatives worldwide

Key Takeaways from the NISAR Satellite Launch

Key Takeaways from NISAR Mission Launch

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the full form of NISAR?
A: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.

Q2. Which launch vehicle was used to launch the NISAR satellite?
A: GSLV-F16 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle – F16).

Q3. What makes NISAR unique among other Earth observation satellites?
A: It is the first satellite with dual-band synthetic aperture radar (L-band and S-band) for global Earth imaging in all weather conditions.

Q4. What is the orbit type of the NISAR satellite?
A: Sun-synchronous polar orbit.

Q5. How often will NISAR revisit the same Earth surface region?
A: Every 12 days.

Q6. What are the key applications of NISAR?
A: Monitoring natural disasters, glacier movements, agricultural changes, land subsidence, and climate change.

Q7. Which agencies collaborated on the NISAR mission?
A: NASA (USA) and ISRO (India).

Q8. What is the significance of the NISAR mission for India?
A: It boosts India’s Earth observation capabilities and showcases strategic Indo-US space cooperation.

Q9. Will NISAR data be publicly accessible?
A: Yes, under an open data access policy to benefit global research and disaster response.

Q10. What is the cost of the NISAR mission?
A: Approximately USD 1.5 billion, jointly funded by NASA and ISRO.