NASA-ISRO mission to launch NISAR satellite on July 30, confirms ISRO chairman

The unique Earth observation satellite NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) will be launched through the GSLV-S16 on July 30, said ISRO chairman V Narayanan.

Weighing 2,392 kg, NISAR is a unique Earth observation satellite and the first to observe the Earth with a dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band) both using NASA’s 12m unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, integrated to ISRO’s modified 13k satellite bus.

It will observe earth with a swath of 242 km and high spatial resolution, using SweepSAR technology for the first time, according to the space agency.

It will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

“The Earth observation satellite jointly developed by ISRO and NASA will be sent into space on July 30 by the GSLV-F16 rocket made in India,” Indian Space Research Organisation chairman V Narayanan said.

It will be launched at a distance of 740 km. It can take pictures of the earth 24 hours a day in all weather conditions and the satellite can detect landslides, aid in disaster management and monitor climate change, he said while speaking to reporters at the airport in Chennai on Sunday (July 27, 2025) night.

“The satellite will benefit India, the U.S. and the entire world… it is also crucial for monitoring earth’s natural resources,” he added.

On Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight Mission, Narayanan said a humanoid, called Vyommitra, will be sent into space in December this year. Once it proved to be successful, two other uncrewed missions would be launched next year.

Following the success, the Gaganyaan Mission will be launched in March 2027 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.

‘NISAR’ launch will upscale ISRO’s international collaborations, says Jitendra Singh

Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed that the much-anticipated launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mission is scheduled for July 30, 2025, at 17:40 hrs from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

As the first joint Earth observation mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the event marks a defining moment in the journey of Indo-US space cooperation and also in ISRO’s overall international collaborations, he said. The mission will be launched aboard India’s GSLV-F16 rocket.

Mr. Singh, who has been monitoring the mission closely, said the launch reflects the maturing of strategic scientific partnerships and India’s emergence as a credible global player in advanced Earth observation systems. While expressing his wish to be physically present in Sriharikota to witness the historic event, the Minister acknowledged that the ongoing Parliament session may hold him back in Delhi.

“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. 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, agriculture, and climate monitoring,” said Dr Singh.

Mr. Singh further noted that this mission lives up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India becoming a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’–a global partner that contributes to the collective good of humanity.

A key feature of the mission is that all data generated by NISAR will be made freely accessible within one to two days of observation and in near real-time in case of emergencies. This democratisation of data is expected to support global scientific research and decision-making, especially for developing countries that may not have access to similar capabilities.

Notably, the NISAR mission is the first time a GSLV rocket is being used to place a satellite in sun-synchronous polar orbit, signalling ISRO’s growing technical sophistication in supporting diverse space missions. The dual radar payload aboard NISAR will employ SweepSAR technology for high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of the Earth’s surface with a wide swath of 242 kilometres.

The Union Minister also underlined the importance of Earth observation missions in the context of climate resilience and sustainable development. “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,” he said.

While the mission has seen a long gestation period of over a decade and a joint investment exceeding $1.5 billion, the payoff in terms of global utility and technological advancement is expected to be transformative. The launch of NISAR is being closely watched by space agencies, environmental researchers, and policymakers worldwide.

As the countdown to July 30 begins, Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that India’s space program under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi is steadily transitioning from traditional utility-based missions to those that position the country as a knowledge contributor to the global commons. “NISAR is not just a satellite; it is India’s scientific handshake with the world,” he said.

(With inputs from ANI)

Published – July 28, 2025 11:05 am IST