NASA and ISRO are preparing to declare their jointly developed NISAR satellite operational on Friday, according to ISRO chairman V. Narayanan. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), the most expensive Earth observation satellite ever built, can monitor nearly all of the planet’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days.
The 2,400 kg satellite was launched on July 30, 2025, from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a GSLV rocket. Narayanan said that all data calibration is complete, and a conclave on November 7 will officially mark the satellite operational.
Dual Radar Systems for Advanced Observation
NISAR is the first satellite to carry two SAR systems: L-Band and S-Band radars. The L-Band can penetrate forest canopies and measure soil moisture, forest biomass, and land and ice motion, while the S-Band is sensitive to small vegetation, agriculture, grasslands, and snow moisture. Both radars can collect data day and night, through clouds and precipitation, providing highly detailed Earth observation every 12 days.
Mission Progress and Testing
ISRO has completed over 8,000 tests for the NISAR mission. Narayanan described the data as “very outstanding” and said the satellite will be extremely useful for Earth monitoring.
Looking Ahead: Gaganyaan and Indian Space Station
Narayanan also shared updates on India’s human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, with the first uncrewed mission planned for January 2026 and astronaut launches expected by 2027. India intends to launch the first module of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station by 2028 and make the full five-module orbital lab operational by 2035. The space station will weigh 52 tonnes and accommodate three to four crew members for long-duration missions, or up to six for short missions.This marks another major step in India’s growing space capabilities, combining advanced satellite technology with long-term human spaceflight ambitions.
