NASA and ISRO Set to Launch NISAR: A Revolutionary Earth-Observing Satellite. In a landmark collaboration, NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are preparing to launch the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite.
One of the most advanced Earth-observing missions to date. Scheduled for liftoff at 8:10 a.m. EDT (1210 UTC) on Wednesday, July 30, the satellite will ride aboard an ISRO Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India’s southeastern coast.
Unprecedented 3D Views of Earth’s Surface
NISAR is equipped with a cutting-edge dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system, capable of capturing highly detailed 3D images of Earth’s land and ice surfaces. Unlike optical satellites, NISAR’s radar can penetrate clouds and operate day and night, providing continuous monitoring regardless of weather conditions.
The satellite will scan the entire Earth every 12 days, measuring even the tiniest surface changes—down to a fraction of an inch. This capability will allow scientists to track:
- Glacial movements and ice sheet dynamics
- Volcanic activity and magma shifts
- Deforestation and forest regrowth
- Earthquakes, landslides, and tectonic movements
- Agricultural changes and water resource management
Enhancing Disaster Preparedness and Climate Research
NISAR’s high-resolution data will be invaluable for disaster response and mitigation. By detecting subtle ground deformations, it can provide early warnings for:
- Landslides in vulnerable regions
- Earthquake-prone zones before major shifts occur
- Volcanic eruptions by monitoring magma buildup
Additionally, the mission will contribute to climate change research by tracking:
- Melting glaciers and polar ice caps
- Coastal erosion due to rising sea levels
- Carbon storage in forests and wetlands
A Global Partnership for Earth Science
NISAR represents a major milestone in U.S.-India space collaboration, combining NASA’s expertise in radar technology with ISRO’s launch capabilities. The mission is expected to operate for at least three years, with data made freely available to researchers worldwide.
How to Watch the Launch
The launch will be streamed live on:
- [NASA TV](https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv)
- [ISRO’s official website](https://www.isro.gov.in)
For more details on NISAR, visit:
- [NASA’s NISAR Mission Page](https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov)
- [ISRO’s Launch Updates](https://www.isro.gov.in)
This mission marks a new era in Earth observation, offering insights that could reshape our understanding of natural hazards, climate change, and environmental management.
