NASA and India launch groundbreaking satellite to monitor Earth changes

India has successfully collaborated with NASA to launch a state-of-the-art Earth-mapping satellite. This significant mission, worth $1.3 billion, was launched on a Wednesday from a barrier island in the Bay of Bengal. The satellite, named NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), is designed to monitor minute shifts in land and ice across the planet. Equipped with two radars—one from the United States and the other from India—the satellite is expected to operate day and night. Its capabilities allow it to collect detailed data despite challenging weather conditions such as clouds and rain. The satellite is built to provide vital information for predicting and managing natural disasters. By surveying the Earth’s terrain multiple times, it will help forecasters and first responders stay ahead of events like floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. Scientists estimate that the satellite can detect changes as small as a fraction of an inch. NASA’s science mission chief, Nicky Fox, has affirmed that this innovative mission will change our understanding of the planet, serving as a powerful tool in studying natural phenomena. The NISAR satellite encompasses two key radars: a low-frequency radar supplied by NASA and a higher-frequency radar provided by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The collaboration between the two nations, esteemed as the largest space partnership to date, showcases the importance of shared resources and expertise in tackling global challenges. Both nations see this venture as beneficial not only for themselves but for the entire world community. Once in orbit, it will take about a week for the satellite to extend its 30-foot boom and deploy the massive drum-shaped reflector, which has a diameter of 39 feet. Following the completion of this process, the satellite's science operations are expected to commence by the close of October 2025. The data provided by NISAR will significantly aid in overseeing various environmental factors, including the melting of glaciers and polar ice sheets, alterations in groundwater supplies, land surface movements that could trigger landslides and earthquakes, and disruptions in forests and wetlands that could elevate carbon dioxide and methane emissions. With its operational height of 464 miles above Earth, NISAR aims to conduct thorough observations every 12 days, ensuring an ongoing assessment of planet-wide changes. Overall, this ambitious venture symbolizes a crucial step in advancing our understanding of Earth while fostering international cooperation in science and technology.