New Delhi | July 30, 2025 : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch one of its most ambitious missions today, NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota aboard the GSLV-F16. This joint India-US mission is not just another satellite launch, it’s a strategic move to revolutionize Earth observation and bolster India’s disaster response and climate monitoring capabilities.

NISAR, a $1.5 billion collaboration between NASA and ISRO, is the world’s first dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. India’s contribution of ₹788 crore (around $96 million) may appear modest, but it grants access to world-class data, reinforces India’s technological standing, and advances national goals in sustainability, disaster preparedness, and scientific leadership.

What Makes NISAR Unique?
NISAR is designed to orbit Earth once every 97 minutes, completing a full mapping of the globe’s land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days. It’s equipped with two radar systems—NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band—that enable it to peer through clouds, smoke, forests, and even darkness. This capability allows the satellite to detect minuscule changes in Earth’s surface, down to just a few millimeters.

From tracking glacial shifts and earthquake fault movements to monitoring land subsidence caused by groundwater depletion, NISAR’s data will serve as a global scientific goldmine. Importantly, its information will be open-source and available in real-time, empowering scientists, policymakers, and disaster response teams across the globe.

Why This Mission Matters for India
India’s investment in NISAR brings substantial and far-reaching benefits:

Strategic Data Access: India gets unrestricted access to high-value Earth observation data, avoiding the full cost burden of developing a similar satellite solo.

Climate Monitoring: NISAR supports India's climate goals by enabling accurate tracking of glacial melt, water resource shifts, and agricultural cycles.

Disaster Response: Earthquake, flood, and landslide monitoring will be significantly enhanced, enabling faster and more informed emergency responses.

Tech Credibility: Developing the S-band radar and launching it on an indigenous rocket underscores India’s rising leadership in space tech.

Global Collaboration: The mission solidifies ISRO’s position on the world stage, showcasing the power of international cooperation in tackling shared planetary challenges.

With this launch, Indian farmers, urban planners, disaster relief teams, and climate scientists gain a daily stream of valuable insights—without having to fund a $1.5 billion mission independently. For example, NISAR could help predict floods in Assam or monitor the pace of Himalayan glacier melt, improving resilience and planning.

A Smart Investment for the Future
As the satellite prepares for liftoff, ISRO’s latest partnership with NASA is a strong reminder that space missions are no longer just about reaching the stars they’re about understanding the Earth better. With NISAR, India has made a bold move: betting smart money on smart science.

Whether it’s catching tectonic shifts or the quiet retreat of a glacier, NISAR promises to be India’s eye on the planet sharp, silent, and always watching.