NASA and ISRO have unveiled the first radar images from their joint Earth-observing mission, NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), launched on July 30, 2025. The satellite, equipped with advanced L-band and S-band radar systems, is designed to deliver unprecedented insights into Earth’s surface. Initial images captured in August reveal detailed landscapes, from dense forests and wetlands to agricultural fields and urban areas, demonstrating the satellite’s potential for monitoring ecosystems, farming, and natural disasters.
NISAR is the first satellite to carry dual-band radars, combining NASA’s L-band radar with ISRO’s S-band system. NASA’s L-band can penetrate dense forests, measure soil moisture, and detect subtle land movements such as landslides, ice shifts, and tectonic activity. ISRO’s S-band radar complements this by tracking smaller vegetation, making it ideal for monitoring crops, grasslands, and ecological changes. The combination of these radars allows NISAR to capture both natural and human-modified landscapes with exceptional clarity.
On August 21, NISAR imaged Mount Desert Island in Maine, highlighting forests, waterways, urban infrastructure, and built environments in remarkable detail. Two days later, northeastern North Dakota was scanned, revealing forests, wetlands, and farmlands, including circular center-pivot irrigation plots. The images clearly differentiate cropland, pastures, natural vegetation, and settlements, demonstrating NISAR’s capability to track land use, seasonal shifts, and ecological health with precision.
Beyond mapping, NISAR’s radar data enables advanced analysis of ecosystems, crop growth, and environmental changes over time. The satellite also provides early warnings for natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods, supporting governments and emergency responders in timely interventions.
The NISAR mission reflects years of collaboration between NASA and ISRO, combining spacecraft design, radar engineering, and global ground-station operations. NASA contributed the L-band radar, reflector, and communication subsystems, while ISRO provided the S-band radar and spacecraft bus. Science operations are scheduled to begin in November 2025, with NISAR expected to provide continuous high-resolution radar imagery, revolutionizing our understanding of Earth’s land, agriculture, and ecosystems.
