India and France Will Launch TRISHNA Satellite in 2027
The joint mission aims to monitor global water resources and vegetation stress using advanced thermal infrared imaging.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Space
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The Indian Space Research Organisation and French space agency CNES are developing the TRISHNA satellite to track Earth's water cycle. The mission is scheduled to launch from Sriharikota in 2027.
Why it matters
As global temperatures rise, the satellite will provide critical data on surface temperatures and water scarcity to help scientists track physical and biological phenomena. This collaborative mission aims to address environmental challenges through enhanced monitoring capabilities.
The satellite will operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude exceeding 700 kilometres. Its thermal infrared instrument will capture data with a spatial resolution better than 60 metres, enabling multiple revisits per week.
The players
Indian Space Research Organisation
This is the national space agency of India responsible for the development of space-based technologies and the nation's optical payload for the mission.
CNES
The French space agency acts as a joint partner on the TRISHNA mission and provides the satellite's essential thermal infrared instrument.
The details
The mission utilizes a thermal infrared instrument supplied by CNES alongside an optical payload developed by ISRO. The project follows a long history of bilateral cooperation, including the Megha-Tropiques satellite launched in 2011 and historical rocket engine technology transfers.
Timeline
1960s: Cooperation on sounding rocket experiments began between ISRO and CNES.
2011: The Megha-Tropiques satellite was successfully launched.
2026: India and France will celebrate the Year of Innovation.
2027: The TRISHNA satellite is scheduled for launch from Sriharikota.
2030: Target date for hosting 30,000 Indian students in France.
Deeper Dive
This mission succeeds the Megha-Tropiques satellite launched in 2011, continuing the long-term scientific partnership between the two nations.
The mission will provide high-resolution environmental data that can help improve agricultural water management and tracking of vegetation stress. This could eventually support more precise irrigation planning and resource monitoring on a global scale.
The takeaway
This satellite project underscores how international technological partnerships are becoming vital for global climate monitoring. By combining specialized hardware from different nations, these missions increase the frequency and accuracy of essential environmental tracking.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing aerospace developments, visit the Space section.
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Should nations prioritize joint international space missions to track climate change and water resources?
