**India and US Ready for Groundbreaking Satellite Launch**

The Nisar satellite's launch signifies a historic collaboration between India and the US, showcasing advancements in space technology.

In an unprecedented collaboration, Indian and US space agencies are set to launch the Nisar satellite, touted as a groundbreaking technological achievement. Scheduled for launch at 17:40 IST (12:10 GMT) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India, the Nisar satellite is a $1.5bn joint project between NASA and ISRO and is designed to monitor Earth's surface changes with unparalleled precision.

Weighing in at 2,392 kg, the Nisar satellite is equipped with advanced radar technology that will enable it to track even minor variations in land, sea, and ice formations. NASA describes Nisar as their "most sophisticated radar we've ever built," leveraging two radar frequencies—Nasa's L-band and ISRO's S-band. This synergy marks the first time such technology will monitor Earth from space.

The satellite's unique sun-synchronous polar orbit allows it to observe the same region every 12 days, collecting comprehensive data instrumental for disaster preparedness and climate change analysis. It promises to detect geological phenomena such as land subsidence, glacial melting, and even forest fires. Karen St Germain, NASA's Earth Sciences director, emphasized that this project aims to unveil precursors to natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides.

The mission epitomizes the fruitful cooperation between India and the United States, particularly following the successful dispatch of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted Nisar as a beacon of India's rising prominence in space science, while Indian Science Minister Jitendra Singh viewed the launch as a significant moment in enhancing international partnerships in space endeavors.

India has made remarkable advancements in its space initiatives, with notable recent achievements including a successful lunar landing near the Moon's south pole and plans for future human spaceflight missions. The Nisar satellite, with its capacity to provide vital data for various disciplines, is anticipated to reaffirm India’s place on the global space stage.