NASA-ISRO $1.5 billion joint satellite NISAR set for launch on July 30: What is its mission and why is ISRO spending so much on it

NASA and ISRO’s joint NISAR mission, costing $1.5 billion, is set to launch on July 30, 2025, from Sriharikota. This Earth observation satellite, equipped with dual-frequency radar, will provide high-resolution imagery every 12 days. NISAR aims to monitor ecosystem changes, track disasters, study ice movement, and generate precise 3D surface maps, offering invaluable data for scientists and policymakers worldwide.