NASA Interview Opportunity: Ready for Takeoff - Trailblazing Satellite Will Kick Off New Era Of Earth Observations

Quick Summary:

• Launching no earlier than late July, the NISAR mission is a first-of-its-kind satellite that will observe all of Earth’s land and ice-covered surfaces twice every 12 days.
  
• NISAR is the first satellite to use two radar systems that will provide detailed information about Earth’s surfaces in multiple wavelengths
  
• The duo of advanced radar imaging instruments use different wavelengths to collect information 24/7 regardless of cloud cover or time of day. This is especially important for regions of the world that experience cloud cover for significant periods of the year.
  
• Data from NISAR will give emergency managers information and rescue teams important information about a region before and after major events like flooding, earthquakes and even fires.
  
• NISAR will launch from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This is the first hardware collaboration on an Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Interview Details:

• One-on-one NASA expert interviews are available on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT for TV, Podcast, Radio, and Print
  
• Interviews can be live or taped for use closer to launch
  
• Please fill out this form to request an interview slot: https://forms.gle/Jho43M2zvAGoa3or8
  
• Requests sent via the above form will have scheduling priority. Please do not email requests.
  
• For more information see links below: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/nisar/

No earlier than late July, NASA will launch a groundbreaking new satellite that will track Earth's changes across Earth’s land and ice surfaces, from collapsing ice sheets to volcanic activity, down to less than an inch. NISAR, short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, will pave the way to seeing how our Earth changes over time using a duo of advanced radar imaging instruments that use different wavelengths to collect information 24/7 regardless of cloud cover or time of day.

The data NISAR will produce will be useful for decision makers working to address challenges on local, national, and global scales. The data from NISAR will do everything from helping farmers optimize planting and harvest schedules, to giving emergency managers new tools to help communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

Join a NASA expert to learn more about how NISAR will change our view on Earth!

Suggested Anchor Intro:
NASA is about to launch a new satellite and it isn't just an upgrade… It's a total game-changer for important information about our Earth. It's called NISAR [pronounced: N ”eye” SAR], and it is the first joint space mission between the U.S. and India. What makes it different from other satellites is its incredible precision and the sheer volume of data it will produce on the order of 80 terabytes a day!

Joining us now is xxx to talk about how NISAR will change our view of Earth!

Suggested questions:
1. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization will soon launch a first-of-its-kind Earth observing satellite that will detect changes on Earth that once went undetected. Can you tell us about this new mission?
2. NISAR is unique because it has two sets of radar “eyes” to monitor changes on Earth’s surface. Can you talk about this new capability?
3. One of NISAR’s major goals is to track subtle changes on Earth’s surface down to the centimeter. Can you talk about some of the changes it’ll be tracking including xxx which is something we’re particularly concerned about in our area?

• Volcanic activity
  
• Shorelines
  
• Glaciers
  
• Earthquakes
  
• Landslides

4. NISAR will be collecting more data than any other NASA mission. Can you talk about the sheer amount of data it’ll be returning, and how it will help communities?
5. What kinds of observations are you most excited to see with NISAR?
6. Where can our viewers learn more about NISAR?

Longer Interview questions:
7. This satellite has a giant antenna that looks like a catcher’s mitt. Can you talk about why it was designed like that?
8. What are some of the gaps in our understanding about our planet that scientists hope NISAR will help solve?