ISRO and NASA Ready NISAR Satellite for Earth

ISRO and NASA in collaboration, is preparing to launch the NISAR satellite in June 2025. This dual-band radar mission will revolutionize climate monitoring, disaster response, and landform mapping.

1. What major progress has ISRO made toward launching the NISAR mission?
On April 28, 2025, ISRO confirmed it is entering final preparations to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite. Initially planned for 2024, the launch was delayed due to overheating in the 12-meter radar antenna. After refurbishment at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the component was re-integrated in Bengaluru by January 2025. The spacecraft has now been moved to Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota. Verified technical logs confirm full assembly completion, clearing the path for a June 2025 launch.

2. Why did the NISAR mission face delays and how were they resolved?
The NISAR satellite encountered delays primarily due to thermal stress issues with its 12-meter radar reflector, posing a risk during space deployment. NASA engineers addressed this at Jet Propulsion Laboratory with a specialized reflective coating. The upgraded component underwent retesting and was delivered to India via a C-130 aircraft. According to ISRO’s January 2025 mission update, all integration stages passed validation tests, confirming safety and performance for launch. This highlights the importance of dual-agency problem-solving in international space missions.

3. How is the GSLV Mk II prepared for this high-stakes satellite mission?
As of April 26, 2025, ISRO transported the second stage of the GSLV Mark II to Sriharikota, indicating the beginning of advanced launch operations. Payload integration is currently underway, with the rocket designed to lift heavy payloads to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Official reports from SDSC confirm that launch rehearsals and interface testing are in progress. With a proven lift capacity and prior success, GSLV Mk II enhances India’s strategic capabilities in placing complex satellites like NISAR into high-Earth orbit.

4. What is NISAR’s technological core and how will it scan Earth?
NISAR uses dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar operating in L-band and S-band, enabling it to measure ground changes smaller than a centimeter. It will revisit every region on Earth every 12 days. NASA’s documentation explains that each data pixel will represent an area roughly half the size of a tennis court. These advanced capabilities make it the first radar imaging satellite with this level of precision. Peer-reviewed aerospace journals have verified these sensor specifications, underscoring its scientific significance.

Quick Fact Box
📍 Location: Sriharikota, India
📅 Scheduled Launch: June 2025
🚀 Vehicle: GSLV Mk II
📡 Payload: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
🌍 Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit
📈 Radar Type: Dual-band (L & S)
📷 Revisit Cycle: Every 12 days
📊 Pixel Precision: <1 cm changes tracked
🤝 Partners: ISRO and NASA
🧪 Uses: Climate monitoring, land deformation, ecosystem tracking

5. What practical applications will NISAR support on Earth?
NISAR will provide critical data for disaster management, infrastructure safety, and ecological monitoring. By tracking Earth’s surface changes weekly, it will help forecast landslides, monitor glaciers, and assess crop health. The radar’s dual-band design allows data capture through clouds and vegetation, making it valuable year-round. Multiple Indian and international disaster relief agencies are integrating NISAR data into early warning systems. Scientific studies indicate its relevance in mitigating earthquake damage, analyzing urban heat islands, and monitoring forest biomass.

6. How does this mission enhance Indo-US collaboration in space?
The NISAR mission represents one of the largest collaborations between NASA and ISRO, reflecting growing trust and shared goals in climate science. This joint initiative combines NASA’s radar technology with ISRO’s launch and operational expertise. Experts note that such cooperation not only reduces costs but accelerates innovation. Data from NISAR will be made freely available, supporting researchers worldwide. According to Indian Ministry of Science statements, the mission sets a benchmark for future bilateral space projects focusing on global challenges.

7. What have scientists said about NISAR’s global significance?
“NISAR will measure Earth’s surface changes weekly, with each pixel covering half a tennis court,” stated NASA’s project scientist Paul Rosen. This precision enables detection of tiny shifts in tectonic plates or glacial melt. ISRO’s lead engineers have called NISAR a “scientific leap” for India’s Earth observation program. Verified interviews across NASA and ISRO’s official platforms confirm these statements. Such endorsements from domain experts emphasize the mission’s role in long-term planetary health and resource planning.

What makes this story a must-read
NISAR showcases the power of global collaboration, advanced radar science, and ISRO’s expanding space ambitions—making it a pivotal event in 2025 with lasting environmental impact.