NASA-ISRO collaboration: NISAR satellite set to launch by July 30, confirms Chairman V Narayanan; also shares update on Gaganyaan mission. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan announced on Monday that the Indian Space Research Organisation is aiming to launch the NISAR satellite aboard the GSLV-S16 rocket by July 30. According to ANI, he stated that the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is scheduled for launch by the end of July, and added that three uncrewed missions will take place ahead of the Gaganyaan mission.
He further stated that a humanoid mission is planned for December, during which a robot named Vyommitra will be sent into space. If the mission succeeds, two additional uncrewed missions are expected to follow next year. After completing all necessary tests by March 2027, the Gaganyaan Mission will be launched, in line with Prime Minister Modi’s announcement.
Objective of the NISAR Mission
The upcoming joint US-India NISAR mission aims to observe and analyze changes in Earth’s surface. As per NASA, the satellite will track land deformation caused by events such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity. The data collected will support both scientific research and disaster management efforts.
Additionally, NASA noted that the mission will monitor the movement of glaciers and ice sheets, as well as changes in forests and wetlands, providing valuable insights into the global carbon cycle.
The NISAR mission is designed to track the movement of almost all land and ice-covered regions on Earth twice within every 12-day cycle. When combined with data from other satellites and instruments, NISAR’s observations will offer a detailed and wide-ranging view of both horizontal and vertical shifts in Earth’s surface.
What Sets the NISAR Mission Apart from Other Earth Missions
NISAR is unique because it uses two types of radar: an L-band system with a 25-centimeter (10-inch) wavelength and an S-band system with a 10-centimeter (4-inch) wavelength. This makes it the first Earth-observing satellite equipped with dual radar technology. The mission will primarily focus on studying ecosystems, the cryosphere, and the solid Earth. Additionally, NISAR’s data will enhance understanding of soil moisture and aid in monitoring water resources.
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