In a landmark collaboration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA are set to launch the groundbreaking NISAR satellite, embarking on a mission that promises to revolutionize our understanding of natural phenomena. The much-anticipated NISAR launch will take place on the GSLV-F16 rocket from the iconic Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 17:40 hours IST on 30 July 2025.
A Global Collaboration Effort
This mission signifies the first of its kind partnership between NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ISRO’s Space Applications Centre. It features two radar payloads—a unique dual collaboration that employs a radar reflector antenna using the pioneering new sweep SAR technology.
Livestream Details
Both NASA and ISRO will provide live coverage of the event. Enthusiasts can tune in to ISRO’s pre-launch programming starting at 17:10 hours IST, or get an early start with NASA’s broadcast from 16:30 hours IST.
The Versatile NISAR Satellite
According to News9live, NISAR is specially designed to monitor a host of ecological and geographical phenomena. It boasts capabilities to track earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides with remarkable precision, opening new avenues for disaster preparedness and response.
Contributions and Costs
NASA is the primary contributor to the satellite’s massive 1.2 billion USD mission budget, providing crucial components like a 12-meter wide antenna and L-band radar. Meanwhile, ISRO’s contributions, estimated at 100 million USD, include the spacecraft bus, solar arrays, S-band radar, and the launch vehicle. This collaboration emphasizes the importance of scientific partnerships in broadening our understanding of Earth’s dynamics.
Impact on Global Monitoring
Minister of State for Space, Jitendra Singh, highlighted the satellite’s potential in diverse applications including sea ice classification, soil moisture changes, storm tracking, and agricultural mapping. The data from NISAR will be invaluable to researchers, governments, and disaster management agencies worldwide, offering a new lens through which to view our ever-changing planet.
Get ready for a historical moment as this international collaboration illustrates the epitome of technological strides and partnerships in space exploration. Don’t miss the livestream of this pioneering launch!