ISRO to Launch NASA-ISRO NISAR Earth Observation Satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite today, 30 July 2025, at 5:40 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, using the GSLV-F16 rocket.
- Countdown began at 2:10 PM on 29 July 2025.
- NISAR is an advanced Earth observation satellite capable of capturing minute surface changes smaller than a centimetre.
- It can map the Earth day and night, in all weather conditions, and will scan the entire globe every 12 days.
- The mission places the satellite into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit.
- The GSLV rocket is used due to the satellite’s heavier payload, replacing the more commonly used PSLV.
- NISAR is a joint mission between ISRO and NASA, marking their first hardware collaboration, with both agencies contributing distinct radar systems.
