India and the United States are working together on a powerful satellite mission called NISAR, which is expected to change how we observe and understand Earth. The satellite will fly about 700 kilometres above us and use special radar technology to study movements in the Earth’s crust that are smaller than a centimetre. This might sound like science fiction, but it is a real scientific mission set to launch in June 2025.

This $1.5 billion mission is officially named the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission (NISAR). It is being developed jointly by the American space agency NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The satellite will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota using ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

After launch, the satellite will open up a large 13-metre radar antenna, which looks like it’s made using the art of origami. With this, it will scan the Earth’s entire surface every 6 to 12 days for at least three years.

What is NISAR and why is it special?

NISAR is not like other satellites that mainly take pictures. It uses radar to detect tiny movements and changes on the Earth’s surface. This allows it to work even at night or when the sky is cloudy. It uses two types of radar: the L-band radar (with a 24 cm wavelength) and the S-band radar (with a 10 cm wavelength). This special system allows it to see beneath forests, ice, soil, and even man-made buildings.

The satellite will track earthquakes, volcanic activities, and land shifts caused by human actions like mining and construction. It will also monitor melting glaciers, floods, and how underground water sources are being used.

As the article’s author Aafaque Khan says, “We are all too familiar with space applications like the precision location services of GPS or the prospect of the internet beaming down directly to our home from orbit. While these applications provide great convenience and unprecedented opportunities, what Nisar is about to offer is essential for the existence of our civilisation.”

Every day, NISAR will send back about 85 terabytes of data. That’s as much as millions of pictures from your phone. This data will be free for anyone to use—governments, researchers, and even private companies.

Why is NISAR important for India?

India has many climate-related challenges. We have 7,500 kilometres of coastline, fast-melting glaciers in the Himalayas, and farmlands that depend heavily on the monsoon.

In the Himalayas, glaciers are melting rapidly due to climate change. These glaciers are important because they provide water to rivers that feed our farms. NISAR’s data will help monitor how quickly these glaciers are shrinking and how their weight is changing over time.

In coastal areas, climate change is increasing the risk of floods and rising sea levels. NISAR will give us accurate data about the polar ice sheets, which will help scientists understand how fast sea levels might rise.

In India’s farmlands, NISAR will track the amount of moisture in the soil and how much groundwater is being used. This will help farmers plan better irrigation and water use, making farming more sustainable.

According to the article, “Its data will allow us to differentiate crop types, seasonal changes in cultivation, and crop rotation practices, enabling sustainable food planning and land management.”

It will also help during disasters. Using radar, the satellite can detect small shifts in the Earth’s crust, such as those that happen before and after an earthquake. This may not predict earthquakes, but it can help emergency teams prepare and respond better, possibly saving lives.

As the article adds, “Emergency responders will benefit from this data to identify areas to improve response time and save precious lives.”

NISAR will also keep track of volcanoes, sea ice, and even the health of buildings and infrastructure. And all of this comes at a cost of less than ₹100 per person for the entire three-year mission.

How does NISAR show peaceful international cooperation?

This satellite mission is a strong example of two countries—India and the US—working together for peace, progress, and the environment. NASA is responsible for the L-band radar system, while ISRO is handling the S-band radar and the launch of the satellite.

“India also plays a leading role in building the spacecraft and launching the satellite,” says the article.

Thousands of engineers, scientists, and students from both countries are working on this project. The mission is not just about science—it also strengthens the diplomatic and technical relationship between India and the US.

The data collected by NISAR will help governments, researchers, and even students create solutions for big problems like climate change, food security, and disaster response.

Aafaque Khan, the article’s author and a former lead engineer of ISRO’s Aditya L1 Mission, says, “The Indian research community has a unique opportunity to lead the world in Earth observation and climate science.”

With NISAR, India will take a big step forward in using space technology not just for national interest but also for the good of the entire world. It’s a mission that highlights India’s strengths in science, peaceful partnerships, and creative thinking.

This mission could become one of the most important scientific tools for Earth observation in history—and it is being built with equal effort from both Indian and American space scientists.

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