# NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar

> joint NASA and ISRO synthetic aperture radar satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18128754](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18128754)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NISAR_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nasa-isro-synthetic-aperture-radar

## Summary
NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is a joint Earth observation satellite mission developed by NASA and ISRO, launched on July 30, 2025. It utilizes advanced synthetic aperture radar technology for high-resolution imaging of Earth's land and ice surfaces.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** July 30, 2025 (12:10:25 UTC) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.
- **Mass:** 2393 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Orbit:** Sun-synchronous orbit with an orbital period of 99.593 minutes (as of August 3, 2028).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV-F16).
- **Design Life:** 5 years.
- **Primary Function:** Radar imaging.
- **Scientific Instruments:** L-band radar and S-band radar.
- **Operators:** Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the NISAR satellite?
A: NISAR is designed to perform high-resolution synthetic aperture radar imaging of Earth's surface. It will provide detailed data to monitor changes in ecosystems, ice sheets, forests, and other land features for scientific research and environmental applications.

### Q: Who are the main organizations involved in NISAR?
A: NISAR is a collaborative mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) manages the L-band radar, while ISRO manages the spacecraft bus and S-band radar.

### Q: How long will NISAR operate?
A: NISAR has a design service life of 5 years.

## Why It Matters
NISAR represents a significant advancement in Earth observation technology by providing unprecedented global radar imaging capabilities. Its dual-band L-band and S-band radar system will enable scientists to study subtle changes in the planet's surface with high accuracy, crucial for understanding climate change impacts (like ice sheet melt and deforestation), monitoring natural hazards (such as earthquakes and landslides), and improving agricultural management. This joint US-Indian collaboration leverages complementary expertise, fostering international cooperation in space-based Earth science and setting a precedent for future global missions addressing critical environmental challenges.

## Notable For
- Being the first joint NASA-ISRO dedicated Earth science satellite mission.
- Utilizing the world's most advanced synthetic aperture radar imaging system.
- Carrying both L-band and S-band radar sensors on a single platform.
- Manufactured collaboratively: ISRO built the spacecraft bus and S-band radar, while NASA's JPL built the L-band radar.
- Orbiting in a sun-synchronous orbit for consistent global imaging.

## Body
### Mission Overview
NISAR is an artificial satellite of the Earth, classified as a synthetic aperture radar satellite. Its primary use is radar imaging. The mission is a formal collaboration between NASA and ISRO, with funding provided by both organizations. The satellite is also known by its alias, NISAR.

### Technical Specifications
- **Spacecraft Bus:** I-3K bus manufactured by ISRO.
- **Mass:** 2393 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Power:** Powered by two spacecraft solar arrays and rechargeable batteries (180 ampere-hour capacity).
- **Orbit:** Sun-synchronous orbit.
  - **Apogee (Apoapsis):** 747.8 km (as of August 3, 2025).
  - **Perigee (Periapsis):** 730.4 km (as of August 3, 2025).
  - **Orbital Period:** 99.593 minutes (as of August 3, 2028).
  - **Orbital Inclination:** 98.4437 degrees (as of August 3, 2025).
  - **Orbital Eccentricity:** 0.0012286 (as of August 3, 2025).
  - **Semi-Major Axis:** 7117.2 km (as of August 3, 2025).
- **Scientific Payload:**
  - **L-band radar:** Manufactured and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
  - **S-band radar:** Manufactured by ISRO.
- **Service Life:** 5 years (design life).
- **Country of Origin:** India and United States.

### Ground Support & Tracking
- **COSPAR ID:** 2025-163A.
- **NAIF ID:** -198.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (NORAD/SCN):** 65053.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 2025-163A.
- **Websites:**
  - NASA: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/nisar/ (English).
  - ISRO: https://www.isro.gov.in/NISARSatellite.html (English), https://www.isro.gov.in/ISRO_HINDI/NISARSatellite.html (Hindi).

### Key Events
- **Launch:** July 30, 2025, 12:10:25 UTC, using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV-F16) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch on July 30, 2025, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.

## References

1. [Source](https://d2pn8kiwq2w21t.cloudfront.net/documents/nisar-press-kit.pdf)
2. CelesTrak
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nisar.htm)
5. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/pdf/GSLV_F16NISAR_Launch_Brochure.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=65053)
7. [Source](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/nisar/)
8. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html#Spacecraft)