GSLV F16

GSLV - F16

GSLV-F16 Launch Vehicle at Second Launch Pad
GSLV Mk2 launch
Launch	30 July 2025 (2025-07-30) 17:40, IST [1]
Pad	Second Launch Pad Satish Dhawan Space Centre
Payload	& NISAR
Outcome	Sucess
Components
Serial no.	F-16
Boosters	4x L40
First stage	S139H
Second stage	GL40
Third stage	CUS-15
GSLV launches
←  GSLV-F15 GSLV-F17  →

The GSLV F-16 was the 18th flight of the GSLV and the 12th flight of Mk2 variant using indigenous Cryogenic Engine (CE). It was the first GSLV flight to Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).

Mission Overview

Flagoff of GS2 stage

Pre-launch

The Preparation work for NISAR's launch started in April 2025 with the flag-off of the GS2 stage. ^[2] Initially scheduled for an early 2024 launch, the mission was delayed after it was decided to apply special reflective coatings to its primary Radar reflectors, necessating it to be sent back to the US for corrections. ^{[3] [4]}

Launch

NISAR lifted off aboard an ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket at 5:40 p.m. IST on the 30th of July 2025. ISRO ground controllers in Bengaluru began communicating with NISAR about 18 minutes after launch, at just after 8:29 a.m. EDT, and confirmed it is operating as expected. It was the GSLV rocket’s first mission to Sun-synchronous polar orbit. ^{[5] [6] [7]} The satellite will enter a 90-day Checkout phase and deploy its primary Radar reflector before beginning of its operational life.

Mission Statistics

• Mass: 420 Tonnes at Liftoff ^[8]
  • Payload weight: 2800kg ^[9]
• Overall height: 51.73 m (169.7 ft) ^[8]
• Propellant:
  • Boosters: UDMH+ N₂O₄
  • Stage 1: HTPB
  • Stage 2: UDMH+ N₂O₄
  • Stage 3: LOX + LH₂
• Propellant mass:
  • Boosters:42,700 kg (94,100 lb)
  • Stage 1:139,000 kg (306,000 lb)
  • Stage 2:39,500 kg (87,100 lb)
  • Stage 3:15,000 kg (33,000 lb)
• Altitude: 743 km SSO ^[10]
• Maximum velocity:
• Inclination:98.4° ^[10]
• Azimuth:
• Period:

This launch vehicle is an 3-stage launch vehicle. The first stage of GSLV was derived from the PSLV's PS1. The 138 tonne solid rocket motor is augmented by 4 liquid strap-ons which is powered by a Vikas rocket engine. ^[8]

Payload

NISAR during Pre-launch processing

The NISAR mission is a $1.5 billion Earth-Observation satellite developed incollaboration with NASA.It will deploy one of the world's most advanced radar imaging systems to monitor Earth's changing systems and natural hazards. ^{[11] [12]}

See also

• List of GSLV Launches
• Earth Observation Satellite

References

1. "ISRO's GSLV-F16 will launch ISRO-NASA joint satellite, NISAR, on July 30, 2025". isro.gov.in. July 21, 2025.
2. "GSLV Second Stage (GS2) flagged off to Sriharikota for GSLV-F16/ NISAR Mission". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
3. "A Decade In The Making: ISRO And NASA Finalise Preparations For NISAR Launch In June". News18. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
4. "NISAR Satellite's Radar Antenna Reflector Arrives in India - NASA Science". 2024-10-23. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
5. "NISAR mission launch highlights: GSLV-F 16 successfully places NISAR satellite in orbit". The Hindu. 2025-07-30. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2025-08-03.
6. "NASA-ISRO Satellite Lifts Off to Track Earth's Changing Surfaces - NASA" . Retrieved 2025-08-03.
7. "NISAR – NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
8. "Indian Space Research Organisation". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
9. "Isro develops radar, ships it to Nasa for world's 1st twin-radar sat mission; NISAR launch in 2023, says Sivan". The Times of India. 2021-03-11. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2025-07-20.
10. "ISRO's GSLV-F16 will launch ISRO-NASA joint satellite, NISAR, on July 30, 2025". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
11. "Isro ground PSLV fleet after launch disaster, continues to prep for Nisar launch". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
12. "Nisar to launch in June: This Nasa-Isro mission will see the Earth breathing". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2025-05-27.