ISRO-NASA’s NISAR Earth Observation Satellite to Launch Today from Sriharikota

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with NASA, is all set to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite today at 17:40 IST. The launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

This mission, a result of over a decade of strategic planning, reflects a major milestone in Indo-US space cooperation, with an impressive joint investment exceeding USD 1.5 billion.

About NISAR: A Next-Gen Earth Observation Satellite

Technical Overview & Orbit Details

Co-developed by ISRO and NASA, the NISAR satellite is a cutting-edge Earth observation platform weighing 2,392 kilograms. Unlike traditional missions launched via the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), which is typically designed for geosynchronous orbits, NISAR will be placed in a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit—an unusual but groundbreaking feat for GSLV-F16.

“India’s scientific handshake with the world.”
– Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

Orbiting Earth Every 97 Minutes

NISAR is designed to complete one orbit every 97 minutes and will revisit and image the same area every 12 days. This frequency is vital for consistent monitoring of environmental changes across the globe.

Dual-Band Radar Technology: L and S Bands

The Power of SweepSAR

The NISAR satellite is equipped with dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology operating in both L-band and S-band, making it the first satellite of its kind. Its SweepSAR technique allows for high-resolution, wide-swath imaging, ideal for monitoring vast and varied landscapes.

This advanced radar system is expected to revolutionize how scientists track Earth’s surface changes, especially in areas prone to natural disasters or rapid environmental transformation.

Scientific & Humanitarian Applications

Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the broader significance of the launch:

“The satellite will help track subtle shifts in the Earth’s crust and surface movement, contributing to early warnings for natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions,” said Singh.
“Its applications go beyond disaster monitoring—NISAR will also be instrumental in studying agricultural patterns, soil moisture, ecosystem disturbances, shoreline changes, ship detection, and storm tracking.”

Impact Areas Include:

• Natural disaster early warnings

• Agricultural pattern analysis and crop health monitoring

• Soil moisture and hydrology assessment

• Coastal and marine surveillance

• Climate change and glacier monitoring

• Urban development and deforestation tracking

Mission Timeline and Open-Data Policy

Initial 90-Day In-Orbit Checkout (IOC)

Post-launch, the first 90 days will be dedicated to the In-Orbit Checkout (IOC) phase. This involves rigorous testing and calibration of all satellite systems to ensure peak performance before scientific operations commence.

Free Access to Global Community

One of NISAR’s most commendable features is its open-data policy. All data collected will be freely available to the global scientific community within one to two days of acquisition. In the event of natural disasters or emergencies, data will be accessible in near real-time, significantly aiding relief efforts—especially for developing nations that often lack access to such cutting-edge satellite technology.

Conclusion

The launch of NISAR represents far more than a technological milestone—it’s a beacon of international scientific collaboration and humanitarian advancement. With unmatched capabilities in Earth observation and environmental monitoring, the satellite stands to benefit a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from farmers to climate scientists, from urban planners to disaster response teams.

As India takes the lead in launching this advanced satellite in partnership with NASA, it signals the country’s growing stature in global space research and Earth science innovation. The open-data approach promises to democratize access to information that could shape disaster preparedness and sustainable development for years to come.