NISAR: NASA-ISRO’s ₹13,000 Crore Satellite — Timeline, Investment, Facts & Global Uses
NISAR: NASA-ISRO’s ₹13,000 Crore Satellite — Timeline, Investment, Facts & Global Uses
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is a landmark joint Earth observation mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Below is a detailed overview covering facts, timeline, uses, investment, and other key details about the mission.
Facts About NISARName: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
Type: Earth observation satellite
Unique Feature:
First satellite to use dual-frequency radar systems simultaneously—NASA’s L-band (1.25 GHz, 24 cm wavelength) and ISRO’s S-band (3.2 GHz, 9.3 cm wavelength).
Weight: Approximately 2,392 kg (some sources mention 2.8 tonnes).
Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at an altitude of 743–747 km, designed for consistent lighting conditions.
Mission Duration: Planned for 3 years.
Launch Vehicle: ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II (specifically GSLV-F16).
Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Antenna: Features a 12-meter deployable mesh antenna, one of the largest for Earth observation.
Data Policy: All NISAR data will be freely available globally, typically within 1–2 days of observation, and within hours for emergencies like natural disasters.
Timeline
2009: Conceptualization of the NISAR mission began as a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO.
2014:
NASA and ISRO signed a bilateral agreement to jointly develop the NISAR satellite.
2019–2023:
Development and integration of key components, including NASA’s L-band radar and ISRO’s S-band radar, at facilities in the US (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and India (Space Applications Centre, Bengaluru).
March 2023:
NISAR’s radar antenna reflector was transported from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to ISRO’s Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment in Bengaluru for integration with ISRO’s satellite bus.
January 2024:
Satellite fully integrated, followed by testing and analysis.
March 2024:
Original launch date scheduled for March 30, 2024, but postponed due to hardware issues with NASA’s 12-meter radar antenna reflector, requiring corrective measures like applying reflective tape to address temperature concerns.
April 2025:
ISRO confirmed a revised launch window for June 2025.
June 2025:
Further delays pushed the launch to July 30, 2025, at 5:40 PM IST, due to ongoing testing and final preparations.
July 30, 2025:
Scheduled launch date from Sriharikota aboard GSLV-F16
Details and Features
Dual-Frequency Radar:
L-band (NASA): Penetrates dense vegetation, snow, and soil, ideal for monitoring forests, deep soil structures, glaciers, and seismic zones.
S-band (ISRO):
Provides higher-resolution imaging for urban areas, terrain analysis, and soil moisture monitoring, less affected by ionospheric disturbances in polar regions.
The combination allows centimeter-level precision in detecting surface changes, even through clouds, vegetation, or darkness, enabling all-weather, day-and-night observations.
Sweep SAR Technology:
Achieves a wide 240 km swath with high-resolution imaging (5–10 meters), allowing global coverage every 12 days.
Components:
NASA Contributions:
L-band SAR, 12-meter deployable antenna, GPS receivers, high-rate communication subsystem, solid-state recorder, and payload data subsystem.
ISRO Contributions:
S-band SAR, spacecraft bus (I3K platform), GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and launch services.
Ground Stations:
Includes NASA’s Near-Earth Network (Alaska, Svalbard, Punta Arenas) and ISRO stations (Antarctica, Shadnagar, Bangalore, Lucknow, Mauritius, Biak).
Data Processing:
Cloud-based hybrid Science Data System (SDS) at NASA’s JPL and external cloud for efficient processing and distribution
Uses and Applications
NISAR’s advanced radar imaging will revolutionize Earth observation with applications in multiple domains:
Disaster Response:
Detects ground deformations from earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic activity with centimeter-level accuracy.
Provides rapid data for emergency response, potentially saving lives and infrastructure.
Climate Monitoring:
Tracks changes in glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost to study ice dynamics and sea level rise.
Monitors forests, wetlands, and carbon exchange to understand climate change impacts.
Agriculture and Water Management:
Measures soil moisture at the scale of individual farm fields every 6–12 days, aiding drought mitigation and food security.
Supports crop health monitoring for improved agricultural management.
Infrastructure Monitoring:
Detects land motion near levees, aqueducts, dams, and other infrastructure to assess structural integrity.
Ecosystem Studies:
Maps vegetation biomass and ecosystem disturbances to study environmental changes.
Geological Studies:
Monitors tectonic movements, coastal erosion, and groundwater variations.
Antarctic Research:
Left-facing instruments will provide unprecedented coverage of the Antarctic cryosphere.
Scientific Research:
Generates 3D surface maps and high-resolution imagery for global scientific studies.
The open data policy ensures that scientists, policymakers, and communities worldwide can use NISAR’s data for research, disaster preparedness, and resource management.
Investment and Funding
Total Cost:
Approximately $1.5 billion (Rs 13,000 crore), making NISAR the most expensive Earth observation satellite ever built.
Cost Breakdown:
NASA’s Contribution: ~$1.118 billion (Rs 9,400 crore).
ISRO’s Contribution: ~$93 million (Rs 788 crore).
Cost Justification:
The high cost is attributed to the satellite’s technological sophistication, including the dual-frequency radar, large 12-meter antenna, and complex hardware/software integration to prevent interference between L- and S-band systems.
The investment is strategic, offering long-term benefits like enhanced disaster response, climate resilience, and technological advancements for both agencies
Economic and Strategic Benefits:Strengthens India’s position as a global leader in Earth observation and space technology.
Enhances ISRO’s expertise in dual-band radar systems for future missions.
Fosters deeper Indo-US space collaboration, building on missions like Chandrayaan-1 and Axiom Mission
SignificanceTechnological Milestone:
NISAR’s dual-frequency radar and Sweep SAR technology set a new standard for Earth observation, surpassing traditional optical satellites by operating in all weather conditions and penetrating vegetation.
Global Impact: Its open data policy democratizes access to high-resolution Earth data, benefiting researchers and governments worldwide.
Geopolitical Importance: The mission symbolizes strengthened US-India strategic ties, highlighted by statements from President Trump and Prime Minister Modi in February 2025.
Scientific Ambition: NISAR is poised to transform our understanding of Earth’s dynamic processes, from climate change to natural hazards, with unprecedented precision
Current Status (as of July 23, 2025)
The satellite is fully integrated and undergoing final testing.
Launch is confirmed for July 30, 2025, at 5:40 PM IST from Sriharikota.
Calibration and course correction will be supported by corner reflectors at the National Centre of Geodesy facilities at IIT-Kanpur and IIT-Patna
Watch Video - JPL - NISAR: Tracking Earth’s Changes From Space (Mission Overview)
