India, US launch landmark NISAR satellite to transform global Earth observation

New Delhi/Sriharikota, July 30. In a significant milestone for international space cooperation and Earth observation science, India and the US successfully launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the US space agency NASA, the NISAR mission promises to revolutionise global Earth observation with its high-precision, dual-frequency radar imaging capabilities.

Though unable to attend the launch in person due to his Parliamentary duties in New Delhi, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, joined scientists and officials at the CSIR Auditorium to witness the launch via live telecast. He congratulated the ISRO and NASA teams on the successful deployment of the satellite aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket, hailing the mission as a “global benchmark” in Indo-US scientific collaboration.

“NISAR is not just a satellite; it is India’s scientific handshake with the world,” said Dr. Singh, emphasising that the mission reflects the strength of the partnership between the world’s two largest democracies.

The launch marked a historic first for India’s GSLV programme, as the GSLV-F16 successfully inserted a satellite into a Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit for the first time. This was the 18th flight of the GSLV and the 12th to use India’s indigenous cryogenic upper stage, showcasing ISRO’s growing capabilities in complex launch technologies.

Weighing 2,393 kilograms, NISAR was placed in a 747-km Sun-synchronous orbit and is designed for a five-year mission life. The satellite carries two synthetic aperture radar systems – NASA’s L-band radar and ISRO’s S-band radar – making it the world’s first Earth observation satellite equipped with dual-frequency SAR technology on a single platform.

NISAR will provide high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imagery of Earth’s surface, revisiting every location globally every 12 days. This imaging capability is expected to support a wide range of critical applications, including disaster response, agricultural monitoring, glacier and forest tracking, and climate change assessments.

But the satellite’s potential goes far beyond traditional remote sensing. Dr. Singh noted that NISAR will become a cornerstone of modern infrastructure and safety planning.

“From maritime navigation and air traffic systems to coastal zone management and smart urban infrastructure, NISAR data will guide more science-based and sustainable decision-making,” he said.

Significantly, NISAR’s open-access data policy is expected to benefit not just scientific institutions but also disaster-response teams, climate change researchers, and developing countries worldwide. The mission is expected to empower governments and communities with accurate, timely, and comprehensive data critical for mitigating natural hazards and adapting to environmental changes.

Built on ISRO’s I-3K spacecraft platform, the NISAR satellite embodies the deep integration of Indian and American technical expertise. NASA contributed key systems, including the L-band radar, a GPS receiver, a high-rate telecommunications system, a Solid-State Recorder, and a 12-meter deployable antenna. ISRO developed the S-band radar, the satellite bus, and provided the launch services through its GSLV-F16 vehicle. The total mission cost, exceeding $1.5 billion, is being jointly funded by both agencies.

Highlighting India’s evolving role in global space efforts, Dr. Singh said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian space programme has shifted from utility-driven missions to knowledge-driven, globally impactful initiatives.

“From Chandrayaan to NISAR, India is not merely launching satellites – we are launching new frontiers of scientific discovery, sustainability, and international cooperation,” he said.

The launch of NISAR marks a defining moment in the Indo-US space partnership and sets the stage for future collaborations in high-end space science and technology, contributing to a more resilient, data-rich, and environmentally conscious global future.