GSLV-F16 Successfully Launches NASA-ISRO NISAR Satellite from Sriharikota

• Jul 30, 2025

Sriharikota, July 31, 2025 — In a historic milestone for space collaboration, India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F16) successfully launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota on Wednesday.

The launch, which took place at 9:15 AM IST, marks a significant step forward in India’s space exploration journey and underscores the growing synergy between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The successful deployment of the NISAR satellite into its intended orbit was met with cheers from scientists and engineers at mission control, reflecting years of preparation and international cooperation.

About the NISAR Mission

The NISAR satellite is one of the most advanced Earth observation missions ever conceived. Developed jointly by NASA and ISRO, NISAR will use a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar system—L-band from NASA and S-band from ISRO—to provide unprecedented data on Earth's surface dynamics. Its primary objective is to monitor changes in ecosystems, natural hazards like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides, as well as glacier and ice sheet dynamics.

By capturing high-resolution images every 12 days, NISAR is expected to provide critical insights into the effects of climate change, land deformation, agricultural patterns, and more. The data will be accessible to scientists globally and could play a key role in shaping environmental and disaster management policies.

A Leap in Indo-US Space Cooperation

NISAR is the first satellite mission where NASA and ISRO have collaborated on such a large scale, with each agency contributing significant hardware, science instruments, and expertise. While NASA provided the L-band SAR, a high-rate communication subsystem, and the radar reflector antenna, ISRO supplied the spacecraft bus, launch vehicle (GSLV-F16), and S-band SAR.

This mission also symbolizes India’s growing capabilities as a reliable space partner on the global stage. GSLV-F16’s flawless performance reaffirmed ISRO’s engineering excellence, particularly in launching heavier payloads into geosynchronous orbits.

Statement from Officials

ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath congratulated the teams and emphasized the mission’s scientific potential:
"This is a proud moment for India and for global science. The successful launch of NISAR demonstrates what can be achieved through strategic international partnerships. The data we collect from this mission will have a transformative impact on how we monitor and protect our planet."

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also lauded the cooperation:
"NISAR exemplifies the best of what NASA and ISRO can do together. This mission will help humanity better understand the Earth system and respond to its rapid changes with informed decisions."

What’s Next?

Over the coming weeks, the satellite will undergo a series of in-orbit checks and calibrations before it begins full scientific operations. Once operational, NISAR will transmit massive volumes of radar data to both NASA’s and ISRO’s ground stations, which will be processed and made available for scientific, governmental, and commercial use.

The successful NISAR launch marks a new era in Earth observation, environmental monitoring, and Indo-US collaboration in space. As nations worldwide increasingly turn to space-based solutions for challenges on Earth, NISAR stands out as a beacon of scientific diplomacy and technological advancement.