Indo-US NISAR space mission to launch in March 2024

NEW DELHI: Following multiple victories for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on fronts of space exploration, NASA administrator Bill Nelson, on Friday, announced the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) in March 2024.

Nelson said, while addressing the media, that the joint-launch is slated to mark a major milestone in the Indo-US space tie-up. He added that the primary goal of the operation was to study and learn about the Earth to protect it in the near future.

“It will study and measure Earth’s changing eco-systems and support a host of other applications,” said Nelson. He also mentioned that the space collaboration would also witness the training of an Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station in 2024, while also disclosing the American space research centre’s plans to send the first woman to the lunar south pole, alongside other missions NASA would initiate.

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Earlier, the NASA chief had visited the UR Rao Satellite Testing Centre (URSC) following a press conference on November 30, where the NISAR satellite was being built to take stock of the developments. It is at this conference that he highlighted the need for space and technology to pave the way for absolute unification between countries.

“It’s an honour to be in Bengaluru where it’s clear that NASA and ISRO’s work together will create possibilities that benefit members of the Artemis Generation in both our countries and around the world,” he said.

Nelson also noted how NISAR is just one example of how the partnership between both the countries would not just benefit them but the entirety of the world to understand the Earth better. “Data from NISAR will help people worldwide better manage natural resources,” he said.

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