We are soon awaiting the launch of one of the most advanced and important Earth observation missions in history, the fruit of a monumental collaboration between the American space agency NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This is the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, a project that will fundamentally change our understanding of the dynamic processes on Earth's surface. Ahead of this significant event, NASA has announced a media teleconference to be held on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM our time (12:00 PM EDT), where key details and objectives of this revolutionary mission will be presented to the public.

This unique satellite is equipped with an advanced radar system that will enable the creation of a dynamic, three-dimensional map of Earth with an unprecedented level of detail. The main task of the NISAR mission will be to precisely detect and measure changes on our planet's land and ice surfaces, with an accuracy of just a few millimeters. This data will be of crucial importance for protecting communities worldwide, allowing scientists to better predict natural disasters and monitor long-term climate change.

Revolutionary Radar Technology in Service of the Planet

The heart of the NISAR mission is its powerful instrument – the synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Unlike optical satellites that depend on sunlight and clear skies, radar systems like the one on NISAR actively send microwave signals toward Earth's surface and then record their return. This technology allows for the observation of the planet day and night, regardless of weather conditions like clouds, rain, or fog. This ensures a continuous flow of data, which is crucial for monitoring rapid changes such as earthquakes or landslides.

What makes NISAR special is the fact that it is the first satellite to use two different radar frequency bands: the L-band and the S-band. NASA's L-band radar can penetrate dense vegetation, making it ideal for measuring changes in forest areas, monitoring biomass, and soil moisture. On the other hand, ISRO's S-band radar provides high resolution and sensitivity to smaller changes, which is perfect for tracking agricultural crops and minor surface deformations. The combination of these two systems will provide a comprehensive picture of Earth's processes, from the movement of tectonic plates to crop growth.

The satellite also carries one of the largest radar antennas ever launched into space, with a diameter of nearly 12 meters (about 40 feet). This impressive mesh antenna will enable the collection of high-resolution data over an extremely wide area. NISAR will circle the Earth in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of about 747 kilometers (464 miles), scanning the entire surface of the planet every 12 days. This frequency of measurement will allow scientists to create detailed time-series data, revealing subtle but significant changes that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Scientific Objectives and Global Impact of the Mission

The data that NISAR will collect during its planned three-year mission will have a far-reaching impact on numerous scientific fields and practical applications. One of the primary objectives is to better understand the dynamics of earthquakes and volcanic activity. By precisely measuring deformations of the Earth's crust before, during, and after seismic events, scientists will be able to improve models for earthquake risk assessment and potentially identify precursors that announce volcanic eruptions.

Another key focus is monitoring the cryosphere – ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice. NISAR will provide crucial information on the rate of ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica, which is critical for predicting sea-level rise. Monitoring changes in the thickness and extent of sea ice will also improve climate models and aid in the navigation of Arctic routes.

In the fields of ecology and agriculture, NISAR will revolutionize the way we monitor global ecosystems. The ability to measure biomass and changes in forest cover will help in the fight against deforestation and in monitoring the global carbon cycle. Farmers will receive precise data on soil moisture and crop health, which will enable the optimization of irrigation and increase yields, crucial for global food security.

The mission will also significantly contribute to water resource management by monitoring changes in groundwater levels, mapping flooded areas in real-time, and assessing water availability in arid regions. All mission data will be freely and publicly available, which will encourage innovation and the development of new applications worldwide.

A Unique Partnership and the Upcoming Launch

The NISAR mission represents one of the most ambitious and expensive collaborative projects between NASA and ISRO. NASA, through its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, is responsible for developing the L-band radar, the data processing system, GPS receivers, and the large mesh antenna. On the other hand, ISRO has provided the S-band radar, the spacecraft itself (the satellite bus), and the GSLV Mk II launch vehicle that will carry the mission into orbit.

The launch is planned for no earlier than the end of July 2025 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, on the southeastern coast of India. This event will mark the culmination of years of joint work by hundreds of scientists and engineers from both continents.

Follow the Conference and Learn More

To provide the public with more details about the mission, NASA is organizing a media teleconference that will be streamed live. The conference participants will be leading experts involved in the project:

• Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters


• Karen St. Germain, director, Earth Science Division, NASA Headquarters


• Wendy Edelstein, NISAR deputy project manager, NASA JPL


• Paul Rosen, NISAR project scientist, NASA JPL

The teleconference can be followed live on Monday, July 21, starting at 6:00 PM our time, via the official NASA JPL channels on X, Facebook, and YouTube. All interested members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions during the broadcast using the hashtag #AskNISAR on social media. This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn firsthand all the details about the mission that promises to give us the clearest view of our planet ever.

Source: NASA