"NISAR Launch Delayed as Antenna Work Continues and Reflector Sent Back to NASA"
The launch of the joint U.S.-Indian radar spacecraft NISAR will likely be delayed to the second half of the year due to the addition of a reflective coating on its large deployable antenna, which is necessary to protect it from higher-than-anticipated temperatures in its stowed configuration during flight. This delay will allow for the application of the coating and shipping of the antenna from India to California and back. NISAR represents a significant collaboration between NASA and ISRO, with NASA alone investing over $1 billion in the mission's development.