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The landmark NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mission is scheduled for launch on July 30, 2025, at 17:40 hrs from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed the date on Saturday, calling it a defining moment in India’s expanding global space collaborations and a key milestone in Indo-US scientific partnership.
The Earth observation satellite, jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will be launched aboard India’s GSLV-F16 rocket. Dr. Singh said the mission highlights India’s growing stature as a trusted global player in space technology and underlines the strengthening of strategic science alliances.
Though he expressed a desire to witness the launch from Sriharikota, the Minister said ongoing parliamentary duties might require him to stay in Delhi. He described the launch as more than a technological event—calling it a symbol of cooperation between two democracies working together for planetary welfare.
Cutting-Edge Radar to Monitor Earth’s Dynamic Systems
NISAR is the first mission to use dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to observe and measure changes in Earth’s land and ice surfaces with unmatched accuracy. Weighing 2,392 kg, the satellite will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit, enabling imaging of the entire globe every 12 days.
The satellite carries NASA’s L-band SAR, high-speed telecom systems, GPS receivers, and a 12-meter unfurlable antenna. ISRO has contributed the S-band radar, satellite bus, the GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and all associated ground and launch support. This also marks the first time a GSLV rocket is being used for deployment into a sun-synchronous orbit.
Equipped with SweepSAR technology, NISAR will capture high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night images across a 242-kilometre swath. The data it generates will support crucial sectors like disaster management, climate monitoring, agriculture, forestry, and resource mapping -not just in India and the US, but globally.
Dr. Singh said the mission echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India as a “Vishwa Bandhu,” a global partner committed to the common good of humanity. “NISAR is not just a satellite,” he said. “It is India’s scientific handshake with the world- an example of what can be achieved when nations collaborate for a shared future.”
