The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, a collaborative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is scheduled for launch in June 2025. This mission aims to provide comprehensive data on Earth's surface changes, enhancing our understanding of natural phenomena.

Key Points

• The satellite will be launched using ISRO's GSLV Mk II rocket.
• The launch will take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
• NISAR will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 747 kilometers.
• The planned mission duration is three years.
• NISAR will be the world’s first satellite to use dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
• The L-band radar is being provided by NASA, while the S-band radar is being developed by ISRO.
• The satellite will be capable of scanning nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days.
• The mission will help monitor glacial movements, deforestation, earthquakes, landslides, and agricultural trends.
• The data from NISAR is expected to revolutionize Earth observation and significantly aid in environmental monitoring and disaster management worldwide.
• The collaboration reflects a strong partnership between NASA and ISRO, with ISRO also contributing the satellite bus and launch services.