ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan announced on Monday that India is preparing to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite by July 30. The satellite will be launched using the GSLV-S16 rocket, in collaboration with NASA. This mission marks a significant step in Earth observation and disaster management.
Dr. Narayanan also shared updates on India’s human space mission. He said that three uncrewed missions will take place before the Gaganyaan mission. 

In December, ISRO will send a humanoid robot named Vyommitra into space. If this mission goes well, two more uncrewed missions will be launched next year. The final crewed Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for March 2027, as announced by PM Modi. The main purpose of the NISAR mission is to study changes on Earth’s surface. It will track movements such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity, and provide useful data for disaster response and climate studies. It will also monitor glaciers, forests, wetlands, and ice sheets, helping scientists better understand the global carbon cycle and climate change.

What makes NISAR different from other Earth observation missions is its dual radar system. It uses both L-band and S-band radars, making it the first satellite of its kind. This technology will allow it to measure land and ice movements very accurately. NISAR will observe almost the entire Earth's land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. The data it collects will be combined with other satellite information to give scientists a clearer picture of how Earth’s surface changes over time. It will also help monitor soil moisture and water resources, making it a valuable tool for both science and society.