India Set to Launch NISAR Satellite on July 30 in Landmark Collaboration with the US
July 29, 2025, Sriharikota – India is all set to make history on 30th July 2025 when it is expected to launch the most advanced Earth observation satellite in the world to date, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) on its own GSLV-F16 (Mk II) rocket. This is a mission that was developed in collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) which is considered to be the landmark in collaboration between the two space powers, the goal being to increase our knowledge of dynamics on earth with extreme precision.
It will be a proud moment not just in the two agencies but also of world science as the launch is to take place at 17:40 IST at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. NISAR will be built with state-of-the-art dual-band radar payload and large-scale deployable antenna, which will monitor the small movements on the surface of the earth, like – tracking glaciers, landslides, soil moisture, earthquake, forest biomass, etc.
What is NISAR?
NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a satellite that is the first of its kind and that is fitted with a pair of synthetic aperture radar capabilities: the L-band radar called NASA and the S-band radar called ISRO. In this combination, NISAR will be able to capture images of the earth surface with an extremely high resolution irrespective of clouds, weather conditions or sunshine.
NISAR has a mission price tag of approximately $1.5 billion, making it the most expensive Earth observation mission ever established by both NASA and ISRO to collaborate together. Its satellite weight is circa 2,392 kg and it will be situated at a sun synchronous polar orbit at altitude of 743 kilometres. It will orbit at this position and cover the entire world at every 12 days of time producing data so important in tracing the long term changes on earth.
It is a satellite with a huge 12-meter (39-foot) diameter deployable mesh-antenna payload that is used to make radar observations — one of the largest ever put in to space. This means that it will be able to take images of radar over a swath of 240 kilometers and this offers the possibility that deformation of the surface of up to 1 centimeter can be detected.
Scientific Objectives
The mission of NISAR has extensive scientific use. It will trace and measure the variations of the Earth surface such as:
- Glacial ice/Polar ice: Monitor melting and loss of ice in Antarctica and in Greenland.
- Land subsidence and earthquakes: Monitor the movement of crusts and show faults at the millimeter level.
- Forest biomass: Assist in tracking the carbon, climate change studies due to measuring vegetation structure.
- Agricultural: Evaluate the moisture amount of soil, the health of the crops, and the effectiveness of irrigation.
- Disaster management: Provide live information in case of landslides, tsunamis and floods.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the fact that NISAR is going to transform Earth observation in the world. It will supply highly important information regarding a disaster preparedness plan and the mitigation of climate change. This will prove a great moment to science in India.”
Technical Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Mission Name | NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) |
| Launch Vehicle | GSLV-F16 (Mk II) |
| Launch Date & Time | July 30, 2025, 17:40 IST |
| Launch Site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota |
| Satellite Mass | ~2,392 kg |
| Orbit Type | Sun-synchronous, 743 km altitude |
| Repeat Cycle | 12 days (global coverage) |
| Radar Payloads | L-band (NASA) + S-band (ISRO) |
| Antenna | 12-meter deployable mesh reflector |
| Mission Duration | Minimum 3 years (with potential extension) |
Countdown and Launch Preparation
The GSLV-F16 launch was put in the 27.5-hour countdown sequence at 14:10 IST on July 29. On July 18, the satellite was enclosed into the payload fairing of the rocket and then subjected to final checkup measures as well as fueling.
ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath weighed in and was vocal to the performance of the launch vehicle saying, GSLV-F16 has been thoroughly tested. And every phase of such an important mission as NISAR is watched step by step.”
Approximately 17 minutes after takeoff, the satellite will be able to enter the required orbit and reach its intended orbit. After its installation, it will also be subjected to a 90-day period of commissioning where the large radar antenna will be installed and calibrated. The complete scientific activities will start no later than in November 2025.
Why This Mission Matters Globally
NISAR will produce approximately 85 terabytes per year of instructions about the Earth, the most information rich space science mission. The information will be freely accessible and it can be used to monitor environment alterations, urban sprawl, as well as natural calamities by the international researchers and policymakers.
In a joint statement, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said NISAR was a reflection of what can be done when nations collaborate. This is a mission that will further help us understand climate, sustainability and resilience in the 21st century.”
In addition to the scientific aspects of such missions, launching of the mission is also a diplomatic milestone in the US-India relations. The two countries have in the recent years used space cooperation as a strategic foundation to engage. The highlight of this strategy is the NISAR.
Potential for Indian Agriculture and Disaster Management
In the case of India, NISAR has immense potential in the agriculture and rural development as well as disaster risk reduction:
- This will lead to improved crop yields estimate and this will benefit farmers and policy makers.
- The Himalayas have landslide-prone areas that can be watched as they happen.
- The situation with coastal erosion and flooding projections will be much better.
- Soil moisture analysis will help in water resource management.
India has dedicated itself to NISAR data integration and combined National Geospatial portals such as BHUVAN and other opportunities to use it at the ground level under the Digital India initiative.
What’s Next for ISRO?
The success of NISAR is bound to lend ISRO more impetus before some of its key upcoming missions which include (but are not limited to):
- Gaganyaan: the first crewed one (launch date is 2026).
- Chandrayaan-4: A proposed mission to bring back a sample of the moon.
- Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan): It is to be launched in the years 2026-27.
Additionally, the success of GSLV-F16 will re-establish the launching capabilities of India in medium-heavy payload a gap that has existed between the PSLV and the new LVM-3 series of rockets.
How to Watch
The NISAR launch will be broadcast live on:
- ISRO’s official YouTube channel
- NASA TV and NASA+
- DD National
- Social media platforms of ISRO and NASA
Live coverage begins approximately one hour before launch.
Concluding Words
As the world grapples with climate change, tectonic shifts, and extreme weather events, NISAR promises to become the Earth’s “diagnostic radar”—providing global, real-time, and open-access information that can inform life-saving policies and practices.
In the case of India, it is not a space mission. It is the reminder of its increased role of leadership in the space science, technology and foreign cooperation.
All going well, July 30, 2025, will be a day of recall as to the transformative moment when humanity marked the approach to their home planet.