ISRO: behind the scenes of India's Earth observation programme

The IRS fleet: a history spanning more than thirty years

From pioneering beginnings to maturity

India's satellite remote sensing programme began with the launch of IRS-1A in 1988. Since then, ISRO has deployed a succession of satellite generations, each bringing improvements in resolution, spectral coverage or revisit frequency. The Resourcesat, Cartosat, Oceansat and Risat series have specialised in complementary fields: land resources, high-resolution mapping, oceans and radar.

This continuity has enabled India to build an exceptional data archive, dating back to 1988. This historical depth is a major asset for long-term change studies, comparable to that of Landsat for the United States.

Table of the main IRS satellite families

The table below summarises the main ISRO Earth observation satellite families, with their characteristics and applications.

NISAR: a flagship cooperation mission

The world's first dual-frequency radar

The NISAR mission (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is undoubtedly the most emblematic achievement of Indo-American space cooperation. Launched on 30 July 2025 aboard the GSLV-F16 launcher, it is described as the world's first space radar mission to carry two instruments operating at two different frequencies: an L-band radar developed by NASA and an S-band radar built by ISRO[reference:1][reference:2].

Following the successful deployment of its 12-metre reflector antenna in August 2025, NISAR began its science phase. In February 2026, more than 100,000 level 1 to 3 data products were made available, and the mission celebrated its first anniversary in orbit in August 2026[reference:3][reference:4]. NISAR data are integrated into the Bhoonidhi portal and are expected to revolutionise the observation of ground deformation, glaciers and ecosystems.

Data policy: a gradual opening

From restricted access to open data

For a long time, access to Indian satellite data was subject to restrictions. But India made a major shift with the Indian Space Policy of 2023. This policy introduced the "free and open" dissemination of IRS data: all archives since 1988 and current data at resolutions of 5 metres and coarser are now freely accessible to all users, via the Bhoonidhi portal[reference:5][reference:6].

For data at resolutions finer than 5 metres, the regime is differentiated: they are free for government entities that declare them, but chargeable for non-governmental entities, via NSIL (NewSpace India Limited), ISRO's commercial arm[reference:7]. This hybrid approach reflects India's desire to reconcile openness and sovereignty.

Table of data access arrangements

The table below summarises the rules for accessing Indian Earth observation data according to their resolution and the type of user.

Bhoonidhi and Bhuvan: the ecosystem portals

Bhoonidhi, the data hub

Bhoonidhi is ISRO's unified portal for accessing Earth observation data. It allows users to search, visualise, analyse and download data from Indian satellites as well as from partner foreign missions such as Landsat-8/9, Sentinel-1/2 and NovaSAR[reference:8][reference:9]. This integration of international data is a notable feature that enhances the portal's appeal for Indian users.

The portal provides access to an archive covering more than 30 years of data from dozens of satellites[reference:10]. It is the cornerstone of India's open data policy.

Bhuvan, the geospatial platform

Bhuvan is ISRO's geospatial platform, launched in 2009. It allows users to visualise and download geospatial data, produce thematic maps and carry out spatial analyses. Bhuvan is used for applications as varied as urban planning, disaster management, agriculture and water resource monitoring[reference:11].

Unlike Bhoonidhi, which focuses on raw satellite data, Bhuvan positions itself as a geospatial services platform, with analysis tools and ready-to-use thematic products.

Recent launches and the future of the programme

EOS-05 and geostationary observation

On 4 September 2026, ISRO successfully launched EOS-05 aboard the GSLV-F17 launcher. This 2,367-kilogram satellite is India's first imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit, marking an important milestone in India's observation capabilities[reference:12]. It will provide real-time imagery for agriculture, disaster management and other strategic applications[reference:13].

This launch follows several missions, some of which met with failure, but it confirms India's determination to strengthen its Earth observation constellation.

Future missions and international cooperation

India is also preparing several cooperation missions. The Trishna mission, developed with the French CNES, is a thermal infrared observation mission under development[reference:14]. ISRO also plans joint satellites with Bhutan, Mauritius and Nepal[reference:15]. These partnerships illustrate India's desire to play a leading regional role in the field of Earth observation.

Key takeaways

India has an old, diversified and increasingly open Earth observation programme. With its IRS satellites, its flagship missions such as NISAR and its Bhoonidhi and Bhuvan portals, it has equipped itself with a complete ecosystem, suited to its national needs and international ambitions.

The comparison with Copernicus is illuminating. India has not sought to reproduce the European model of a single, centralised programme. Instead, it has built a decentralised ecosystem, coordinated by ISRO, with a data policy that combines openness and strategic control. This singular approach, driven by growing international cooperation, could well make India a leading player in Earth observation in the 21st century.