GSLV-F16 launches NASA-ISRO satellite NISAR from Sriharikota
On 30 July 2025 at 17:40 IST, ISRO's GSLV-F16 launched NISAR, the first joint satellite of ISRO and NASA, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, in GSLV's first mission to a Sun-synchronous polar orbit.
Summary
ISRO's GSLV-F16 launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 17:40 IST on 30 July 2025. NISAR is the first joint satellite of ISRO and NASA and the first Earth observation satellite with dual-frequency synthetic aperture radars, NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band, both using NASA's 12 m unfurlable mesh reflector antenna on ISRO's modified I3K bus. The mission was GSLV's first to a Sun-synchronous polar orbit, the 18th flight of GSLV and the 12th with the indigenous cryogenic stage; the orbit inclination is 98.4°. NISAR will scan the globe every 12 days, giving all-weather, day-and-night data on ground deformation, ice-sheet movement, vegetation, soil moisture and disasters, over a planned mission life of five years.
Key facts
- Launch
- 30 July 2025, 17:40 IST, Second Launch Pad, SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota
- Rocket
- GSLV-F16: 18th GSLV flight, 12th with indigenous cryogenic stage
- First
- GSLV's first mission to a Sun-synchronous polar orbit; first ISRO–NASA joint satellite
- Radars
- L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) SAR; 12 m reflector; ISRO I3K bus
- Revisit
- Every 12 days
- Inclination
- 98.4°
- Mission life
- 5 years (ISRO brochure)
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which rocket launched the NASA-ISRO satellite NISAR on 30 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — GSLV-F16
NISAR was launched aboard GSLV-F16 from Sriharikota at 17:40 IST.
In the NISAR satellite launched on 30 July 2025, which radar bands were provided by NASA and ISRO respectively?
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Correct answer: C — L-band and S-band
NASA provided the L-band SAR and ISRO the S-band SAR.
Consider the following statements about the GSLV-F16/NISAR mission: 1. It was GSLV's first mission to a Sun-synchronous polar orbit. 2. It was the 12th flight of GSLV with the indigenous cryogenic stage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are in the ISRO launch brochure; GSLV-F16 was also the 18th GSLV flight.
NISAR, launched on 30 July 2025, will scan the entire globe at what interval?
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Correct answer: B — Every 12 days
ISRO says NISAR will scan the globe and provide data at a 12-day interval.