ISRO and NASA Prepare for Historic NISAR Launch on July 30
The NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is set to blast off on July 30, 2025, aboard an ISRO GSLV‑F16 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Today, ISRO and NASA confirmed the lift-off time at 17:40 IST and outlined its groundbreaking dual-frequency radar capabilities.
Revolutionary Dual-Frequency Radar
Weighing approximately 2,392 kg, NISAR carries both L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) Synthetic Aperture Radar systems using a 12‑meter deployable mesh reflector. It will map the globe every 12 days, day and night, penetrating clouds and darkness to monitor changes in glaciers, earthquakes, vegetation, sea level, and soil moisture with unprecedented precision.
Transformative Applications for Earth Science
The mission will provide critical data for disaster response, environmental monitoring, and climate change research. With high-resolution 3D mapping, NISAR is expected to aid scientific understanding of ecosystems, infrastructure shifts, volcanic activity, and polar ice dynamics. All data will be made publicly available immediately or within hours during emergencies.
Milestone in India‑US Collaboration
Valued at USD 1.5 billion, NISAR represents the most complex joint satellite mission ever undertaken by NASA and ISRO. It marks a major milestone in international space cooperation, combining each agency’s technological strengths in radar imaging.
Countdown to Launch
The satellite will launch aboard GSLV‑F16, injecting it into a 743 km Sun-synchronous orbit at an inclination of approximately 98.5°. Following a few years of delay to complete assembly and testing, the mission now enters its final pre-launch stage.
The NISAR mission is poised to redefine Earth observation satellite capabilities and bolster international scientific efforts to monitor and protect our planet.
For real-time updates on the launch and scientific milestones, visit gpsc-ojas.com/news/.
