NASA and ISRO are set to launch their joint satellite, NISAR, from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota today. NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. It’s an Earth observation satellite that will help scientists track even the smallest changes on the planet’s surface. The satellite will travel aboard India’s GSLV Mk II rocket, which is about 52 meters tall. This project is the result of a collaboration that began 10 years ago and aims to support early warnings for events like landslides, floods, and volcanic eruptions.
GSLV-F16/NISAR
Today’s the day!
Launch Day has arrived for GSLV-F16 & NISAR. GSLV-F16 is standing tall on the pad. NISAR is ready. Liftoff today.🗓️ July 30, 2025
Live from: 17:10 Hours IST
Liftoff at : 17:40 Hours ISTLivestreaming Link: https://t.co/flWew2LhgQ
For more… pic.twitter.com/bIjVJTZyMv
— ISRO (@isro) July 30, 2025
Why NISAR Stands Out
NISAR has two radars—one from NASA and one from ISRO. Together, they can detect changes on Earth’s surface down to a few centimeters. It will scan land and ice every 12 days, no matter the time of day or weather conditions. That means it can work through clouds, darkness, or storms. This is the first time a satellite will give such regular and detailed information about the planet. It will be used to track climate change, natural disasters, and changes in the environment.
Two space agencies. One big win for Earth. 🌎👏
NISAR is the first time @NASA and @ISRO have built Earth science hardware together. This powerful satellite will track changes on land and ice, from areas at risk for landslides and earthquakes to shifting glaciers and ice sheets. pic.twitter.com/Q4dRkyghXB
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) July 25, 2025
When and Where to Watch Live
The NISAR launch is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. IST today, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. You can watch the launch live on NASA’s official YouTube channel or by visiting NASA’s website. After launch, the satellite will take around 8 to 10 days to fully deploy. Then it will enter a 65-day testing phase, where scientists will check and fine-tune the system. If you are curious about Earth or space, this is a launch worth watching.
LIVE: We’re launching an Earth-observing satellite with @ISRO to map surface changes in unprecedented detail. NISAR will help manage crops, monitor natural hazards, and track sea ice and glaciers.
Liftoff from India is scheduled for 8:10am ET (1210 UTC). https://t.co/M5cECyAAFg
— NASA (@NASA) July 30, 2025
