ISRO-NASA Joint NISAR Satellite To Launch Wednesday For Global Climate And Disaster Monitoring

NISAR

ISRO is set to launch the Earth observation satellite NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) this Wednesday at 5:40 pm from the Sriharikota spaceport. The satellite, developed jointly by ISRO and NASA, aims to improve the management of natural resources and help in disaster response efforts.

The $1.5 billion mission is a major milestone in space collaboration between India and the United States. According to Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, “NISAR is not just a satellite; it represents India’s scientific partnership with the world.” He added that the mission aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India being a “Vishwa Bandhu” — a global friend working for the common good.

This is the first Earth observation mission to be jointly developed by ISRO and NASA. The satellite will provide valuable data to countries around the globe, especially in areas like disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring.

One of the standout features of the NISAR mission is that all its data will be available to the public — usually within a day or two of observation, and in near real-time during emergencies. This open access to data is expected to benefit scientists and policymakers, especially in developing nations.

NASA has provided the L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar, a high-speed communication system, GPS receivers, and a 12-meter deployable antenna. ISRO has contributed the S-Band radar, the satellite’s main body, the GSLV-F16 rocket for launch, and other support services.

Weighing 2,392 kg, the satellite will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit and will scan Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days. It will monitor changes in ecosystems and help detect natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

NISAR will also support studies on soil moisture, sea ice, crop patterns, shoreline changes, ship detection, and storm tracking — data crucial for governments, scientists, and emergency response teams worldwide.