The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA are set to launch NISAR, a revolutionary Earth observation satellite equipped with two radar systems&mdash;L-band and S-band&mdash;that enable all-weather, day-and-night imaging of Earth&rsquo;s surface.
The launch is scheduled for 5:40 PM today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket. This marks the first time GSLV will carry a satellite into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
Unlike traditional satellites that rely on optical imaging, NISAR uses radar technology that does not depend on reflected sunlight. &ldquo;It will capture precise images regardless of cloud cover or darkness,&rdquo; explained Dr. B.R. Guruprasad, former ISRO scientist and Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium.
NISAR will orbit at a height of 750 km, scanning a 240 km-wide swath, and detecting ground changes as small as 3 to 10 meters. Scanning the globe every 12 days, NISAR will monitor earthquakes, ice sheet shifts, sea level changes, soil moisture, and more&mdash;making it invaluable for disaster response and climate research.
Weighing 2,392 kilograms, NISAR also symbolizes global collaboration in space. "It&rsquo;s a mission not just for India or the US, but for all humanity," said Guruprasad, highlighting the joint ISRO-NASA vision.

NISAR’s dual radar eyes enable all-weather Earth imaging, set for launch from Sriharikota

NISAR Satellite Launch Today by ISRO-NASA

NISAR’s dual radar eyes enable all-weather Earth imaging, set for launch from Sriharikota

July 30, 2025 | 20:19 IST