NISAR Earth Observation Satellite Successfully Launched by ISRO and NASA Using the GSLV-F16 Rocket

In a major milestone for international space collaboration, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and NASA have successfully launched the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch took place at 17:40 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

This advanced Earth observation mission, developed over more than a decade, is a joint investment exceeding $1.5 billion, making it one of the most significant partnerships between the Indian and American space agencies.

NISAR was carried into space aboard the GSLV-F16 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), marking a historic achievement. This is the first time a GSLV rocket has placed a satellite into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit—a feat typically handled by ISRO’s PSLV launch vehicles.

The mission aims to provide critical data on Earth’s surface changes, aiding research in climate science, natural disasters, and environmental monitoring.