Launched on 30 July, The NASA–ISRO radar satellite shows detailed views of land, water, and crops as it prepares to begin full science operations in November.
The NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite releases its first radar images of Earth. The mission shows how the satellite supports science and business uses in areas such as farming, infrastructure, disaster response, and climate research.
NISAR launched on 30 July and now orbits 747 kilometres above Earth’s surface. The first images were taken in August. The images appear publicly only in late September. After launch, engineers spend weeks testing and aligning the radar instruments.
Radar data also needs processing to turn raw signals into clear maps. The team checks results against ground data before release. The timing shows the satellite is now ready to move into science operations, which begin in November.
One image release shows Mount Desert Island in Maine, US, where water, forests, bare land, and buildings are visible. Another image shows part of North Dakota, with rivers, wetlands, and farmland. The image separates fallow fields from active crops and shows irrigation systems. These results confirm how NISAR can track land use and crop growth, information that is useful for agriculture, trade, and insurance.
It is the first satellite to carry both L-band and S-band radar systems. The L-band, built by NASA, that passes through forests and measures ground movement to fractions of an inch. The S-band, developed by ISRO, is effective for monitoring crops and grasslands. Together, they scan Earth twice every 12 days and show soil, vegetation, water, and buildings.
NISAR carries a 12-metre antenna, the largest radar imaging system launched by NASA and ISRO. The mission is part of a long-term partnership between the two agencies. It also places India and the United States in a stronger position in the global Earth observation market, where Europe, China, and private firms are active.
