India successfully test fires Prithvi-II & Agni-I missiles
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First Post
5 days ago
- First Post
Nisar launch: Why Nasa-Isro joint satellite is a big deal
Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar, or Nisar, will liftoff onboard the Indian space agency's GSLV Mk-II rocket from Sriharikota on Wednesday (July 30). Jointly developed by Isro and Nasa, it is the first major earth-observing satellite with two frequencies — L-band and S-band. Here's what makes it special read more Nisar is built at a cost of over $1.5 billion. X/@isro Nisar, one of the most expensive earth-observation satellites, is set to be launched on Wednesday (July 30). The satellite will liftoff at 5.40 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), the Indian space agency's GSLV Mk-II rocket will inject the Nisar satellite into a 747 km sun-synchronous polar orbit. Here's a look at why the mission is significant. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What is Nisar? Nisar, which stands for Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar, weighs 2,392 kg. It is the first major earth-observing satellite with two frequencies — Nasa's L-band and Isro's S-band. The dual-band radar will equip the mission to observe changes more accurately than any other satellite. 'Each system's signal is sensitive to different sizes of features on Earth's surface, and each specialises in measuring different attributes, such as moisture content, surface roughness, and motion,' according to Nasa. The satellite, which costs over $1.5 billion, was built in a decade. It features a 12-meter unfurlable gold mesh antenna, the largest of its kind in low-Earth orbit, integrated into Isro's I‑3K spacecraft bus. This platform contains controls handling command and data, propulsion, and attitude, along with 4 kW of solar power. Built across continents in phases, NISAR is a result of global teamwork and tech. NISAR came together through years of integration and testing. 2 Nations, 1 Mission. NISAR's build journey is a story of teamwork. Milestone of Firsts ✅ First dual-band radar satellite ✅ First… — ISRO (@isro) July 25, 2025 How Nisar will work The unique Earth imaging satellite will enter the sun-synchronous polar orbit at 747 km altitude and inclination of 98.4 degrees after launch. However, Nisar will not start capturing images immediately. Instead, the first 90 days will be spent by the satellite on commissioning, or In-Orbit Checkout (IOC), which will prepare it for science operations, according to Isro. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) of the satellite will bounce radar waves off the planet's surface, measuring the time it takes for the signal to return and how its phase changes, reported The Hindu. Nisar will observe the Earth in L-band SAR (1.257 GHz), which uses longer-wavelength radiowaves to monitor changes under thick forests and soil and deformations on the ground. The S-band SAR (3.2 GHz) will utilise shorter-wavelength radiowaves to capture surface details, including crops and water surfaces, as per the newspaper. The satellite will observe the Earth with a swath of 242 km and high spatial resolution, using SweepSAR technology for the first time, as per Isro. Nisar will scan the globe every 12 days, providing detailed images of the Earth's surface. The dual radar payload on the satellite employing SweepSAR technology will ensure very high-resolution data, in all weather conditions, and during the day and the night. Why Nisar is a big deal The Nisar mission signals the growing partnership between India and the US in the space sector. 'This mission is not just about a satellite launch — it is a moment that symbolises what two democracies committed to science and global welfare can achieve together. Nisar will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world, especially in areas like disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring,' Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said earlier. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The satellite will help study the changes in Earth's ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, forest cover, groundwater, sea level rise, as well as natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides. We've teamed up with @ISRO on the NISAR mission, a satellite that will measure changes on Earth's surface in fine detail. Data from NISAR can help us better manage natural resources, and understand the pace and effects of climate change. — NASA (@NASA) January 11, 2024 The data produced by Nisar will be freely available to all users, usually, within a few hours. 'The data will be placed in the public archive almost instantly after processing. Nasa and Isro have agreed - this is a science mission, and all radar data will be open,' Dr Paul Rosen, a Nasa Project Scientist for Nisar at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, told NDTV. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He underlined the satellite's role in tracking landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which are becoming more common due to climate change. 'We can see precursory motion before landslides. And we will monitor glacier dynamics to assess GLOF risks,' Dr Rosen said. The satellite will also help monitor seismic zones, such as the Himalayas. 'We can measure ground motion to millimetre precision. That helps us understand the earthquake cycle - before, during, and after seismic events,' he added. The satellite can trace the path of a storm and the Earth's movements during earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Nisar is expected to provide new insights into climate change or natural disasters, which can help in mitigation measures and early response. With inputs from agencies
India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
ISRO-NASA Joint Satellite NISAR To Launch Today From Sriharikota
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA are set to launch their collaborative Earth observation satellite, NISAR, on Wednesday, at 5:40 p.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission, valued at $1.5 billion, aims to revolutionise the way we monitor Earth's surface, particularly in tracking natural disasters and environmental changes. NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a landmark project, marking the first time the Earth will be observed using dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar, NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band. These radars will be operated using NASA's 12-meter unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, mounted on ISRO's customized I-3K satellite bus. Weighing 2,392 kilograms, the satellite will be carried into space aboard India's GSLV-F16 rocket. The satellite will be inserted into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 740 km, where it will scan the Earth's landmass and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days with high-resolution imagery over a 242-kilometer swath, utilizing SweepSAR technology for the first time. 'The Earth observation satellite jointly developed by ISRO and NASA will be sent into space on July 30 by the GSLV-F16 rocket made in India,' said ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan. He emphasised the satellite's role in providing 24x7 imagery regardless of weather or lighting conditions. Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport on Sunday night (July 27), Narayanan added, 'It can take pictures of the Earth 24 hours a day in all weather conditions and the satellite can detect landslides, aid in disaster management and monitor climate change.' Earlier on Sunday, the Department of Space said in a press release, "The NISAR mission combines the technological expertise of both agencies. NASA has contributed the L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a high-rate telecommunication subsystem, GPS receivers, and a deployable 12-meter unfurlable antenna. ISRO, on its part, has provided the S-Band SAR payload, the spacecraft bus to accommodate both payloads, the GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and all associated launch services."
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
A proud moment in India's strategic innovation
Hyderabad: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a milestone by conducting two consecutive successful flight-tests of the indigenously developed Pralay missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on July 28 and 29, 2025. These flight trials were part of User Evaluation Trials aimed at verifying both the minimum and maximum range capabilities of the tactical missile system. The DRDO said here on Tuesday that both missiles followed their intended trajectories with pinpoint accuracy and met all mission objectives. The missile systems' subsystems functioned flawlessly, confirmed by the extensive data recorded by various tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), including ship-based instruments located near the impact zone. Pralay is a solid propellant, quasi-ballistic missile featuring advanced guidance and navigation technologies that enable high-precision targeting. It is designed to carry various types of warheads and neutralise multiple target categories. The missile system was developed by the Research Centre Imarat, in collaboration with various other laboratories of DRDO, including the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, the Advanced Systems Laboratory, and the Armament Research & Development partners Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited also played key roles, along with support from several MSMEs. The tests were witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army, and industry delegates. Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh commended DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry collaborators for the accomplishment, stating that the missile—equipped with cutting-edge technologies—will significantly enhance the Armed Forces' operational readiness against emerging threats. Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, extended his congratulations to all contributing teams. He affirmed that the successful completion of this phase of flight tests marks a crucial step toward the missile system's near-future induction into the country's military arsenal. DRDO successfully test-fires indigenous Pralay missile twice on July 28 and 29, 2025
