The highly anticipated NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is all set for launch, marking a landmark moment in global space collaboration. Weighing 2,393 kg, the Earth observation satellite is scheduled to lift off at 5:40 PM IST from the second launch pad at Sriharikota, approximately 135 km from Chennai, on Wednesday.

The NISAR satellite will be launched aboard a 51.7-meter-tall, three-stage GSLV-F16 rocket, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission is a result of a strategic partnership between NASA and ISRO, aiming to provide critical data on Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation changes, and natural hazards such as earthquakes and landslides.

Designed with dual-frequency radar technology, NISAR will provide unprecedented insights into climate change patterns and natural resource management. The mission is expected to significantly enhance disaster management and environmental monitoring on a global scale.

This joint launch reinforces India’s growing stature in global space missions and underscores the increasing synergy between NASA and ISRO in advancing planetary science.