The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is preparing for one of its most significant space ventures to date—the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite. Scheduled for liftoff on July 30, 2025, at 5:40 PM IST, the mission will use the GSLV-F16 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. NISAR represents a landmark in international space collaboration, integrating NASA’s expertise in L-band radar technology with ISRO’s advanced S-band radar systems. The mission is designed to produce high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of Earth, enabling scientists to monitor critical environmental changes such as land subsidence, glacier movement, and ecosystem health with unmatched precision. This makes NISAR one of the most advanced Earth observation missions ever developed.
NASA-ISRO’s NISAR launch: Schedule timings and how to watch live
The NISAR launch event will be streamed live on ISRO’s official YouTube channel, starting at 5:10 PM IST to allow global audiences to witness the historic moment. Following liftoff, the GSLV-F16 rocket will place the NISAR satellite into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 740 kilometers within 19 minutes of flight. This orbit will enable continuous coverage of Earth’s surface under consistent lighting conditions, which is crucial for accurate data comparison over time.This launch is notable as it is ISRO’s 102nd overall mission and its first GSLV launch dedicated to a radar-based Earth observation satellite. The mission underscores India’s growing role in global space science and its ability to execute highly complex international collaborations.
What will NISAR study
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is designed to study Earth’s changing dynamics in unprecedented detail, providing vital data for the global scientific community. According to ISRO, the satellite’s primary objectives include:
- Monitoring land and ice deformation to understand earthquakes, landslides, and glacial melting.
- Mapping land ecosystems and studying forest dynamics to track biodiversity and carbon storage.
- Observing oceanic regions, including coastal changes and sea-level rise, with shared research interests for Indian and U.S. scientific teams.
NISAR will also focus on seasonal changes in forest cover, detect mountain shifts, and monitor glacier movements in critical regions such as the Himalayas, Antarctica, and polar areas. This data will improve climate modeling, disaster preparedness, and natural resource management.
How long did it take to develop NISAR
The NISAR mission has been a decade in the making, taking 8–10 years to design, develop, and integrate its advanced payloads and systems. Scientists from ISRO and NASA worked in close collaboration, combining their radar technologies and engineering expertise to build one of the most sophisticated Earth observation satellites ever developed.Following its launch, scientists will conduct an initial phase known as satellite commissioning, ensuring all systems function optimally before full-scale Earth observation operations begin.
Why NISAR is a game-changer for Earth observation
NISAR is regarded as the most advanced radar imaging satellite ever developed by NASA and ISRO. It carries two sophisticated radar systems:
- L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provided by NASA, known for its ability to penetrate dense vegetation and monitor soil moisture, forestry, and glacier dynamics.
- S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) supplied by ISRO, optimized for high-resolution imaging of agricultural land, urban infrastructure, and coastal regions.
This dual-band capability gives NISAR an unparalleled advantage in providing all-weather, day-and-night data, unaffected by cloud cover or atmospheric conditions. The data will enable continuous monitoring of Earth’s ecosystems, helping predict natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Scientists will also use it to study crop health, urban development, and the impact of climate change on polar ice caps and sea levels.
GSLV F16: Three-stage rocket with cryogenic upper stage
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) F16 is a three-stage rocket engineered for heavy-payload missions. Standing 51.7 meters tall and weighing approximately 420 tons, it comprises:
- First Stage – Solid-fueled booster stage providing initial thrust.
- Second Stage – Liquid-fueled engine ensuring stable mid-flight propulsion.
- Cryogenic Upper Stage – An advanced indigenous cryogenic engine using super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
This marks the ninth use of an indigenous cryogenic stage, showcasing India’s self-reliance in high-end space propulsion technology. The cryogenic engine’s efficiency is critical in achieving precise orbital insertion, allowing NISAR to function at its full potential for Earth observation missions.
Global Impact of NISAR data
NISAR is designed to scan the entire planet twice every 12 days. Over its three-year baseline mission, it will provide high-resolution imagery of Earth every six days, enabling near-real-time environmental monitoring. Unlike earlier Indian Earth observation satellites that primarily focused on domestic applications, NISAR’s global mission profile means its data will benefit scientists, governments, and industries worldwide.Applications of NISAR data include:
- Climate Change Monitoring – Measuring glacier retreat, deforestation, and carbon storage changes.
- Natural Disaster Management – Early detection of landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.
- Urban Development – Monitoring land subsidence in megacities and infrastructure resilience.
- Agriculture – Supporting crop monitoring, soil moisture analysis, and food security planning.
By delivering continuous, high-quality radar data, NISAR is expected to transform global environmental management and climate research, making it one of the most influential Earth science missions of this decade.Also Read | NASA alert! Asteroid 2025 OL1 set for close Earth encounter on July 30 at 16,900 mph; scientists track rare near-Earth flyby
