India-US NISAR mission poised for June liftoff after years of delay

In a major update on India’s upcoming space agenda, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan has revealed that the long-delayed NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is now slated for launch in June.

The announcement came during a high-level briefing with Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh, highlighting a pivotal milestone in Indo-US space cooperation.

NISAR marks the first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA, aimed at capturing ultra-precise measurements of Earth’s surface. Equipped with advanced dual-frequency radar systems, the satellite can detect changes as small as one centimeter — enabling unparalleled insights into dynamic phenomena such as glacier retreat, deforestation, seismic shifts, and volcanic activity.

Scientists believe it will significantly enhance understanding of climate change and natural disasters.

Originally scheduled for a mid-2023 launch, the mission faced setbacks during the final assembly. Although the satellite was jointly developed — primarily in the United States, with key radar components contributed by India — it encountered issues with its 12-metre antenna during testing in Bengaluru.

The component required upgrades, prompting its return to the US for improvements. Now, ISRO confirms that NISAR will be launched aboard a GSLV rocket, with the precise launch date expected to be finalized soon.

Alongside NISAR, Narayanan also briefed the minister on a string of other space missions. Notably, India’s Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian in space, nearly four decades after Rakesh Sharma, as part of the U.S.-based Axiom Space’s Axiom-4 mission scheduled for May. The mission will ferry him to the International Space Station, adding a new chapter to India's human spaceflight history.

Before the NISAR liftoff, ISRO is preparing for two key missions in May. The Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 will deliver high-resolution imaging capabilities both day and night. In parallel, the agency will conduct the second test flight of the Gaganyaan program’s Crew Escape System — TV-D2 — a critical step in advancing India’s maiden human spaceflight effort.

With an ambitious calendar ahead, India’s space sector is set to make significant strides, showcasing both international partnerships and indigenous capabilities on the global stage.