The foundation stone of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Advanced Radar Research Centre was laid at Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam, on 21 September 2026. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone in the presence of ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan. The facility is being developed as part of Project NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis) to strengthen India’s ability to monitor satellites, space debris and other objects in orbit.
The new facility will enhance India’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities and support the protection of important space assets. It is also expected to contribute to research related to atmospheric and weather conditions.
ISRO Advanced Radar Research Centre: What Happened at Chandrapur?
On 21 September 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone for ISRO’s Advanced Radar Research Facility at Chandrapur in Kamrup Metropolitan district. The facility is being developed under Project NETRA, which is aimed at improving India’s ability to monitor objects in outer space.
The centre is expected to provide advanced capabilities for tracking satellites and space debris. Such monitoring is important because the number of operational satellites and pieces of debris in Earth orbit continues to increase.
The first radar at the facility is expected to focus on cloud research, with the first system targeted for deployment by February 2027, according to reports on the project.
Advanced Radar Facility at Chandrapur
The Chandrapur facility will use phased-array radar technology. Unlike conventional mechanically steered radar systems, phased-array systems can electronically steer their radar beams using multiple antenna elements.
Reports have described the planned radar as capable of detecting and tracking relatively small objects in orbit, including objects of around 10 cm, with a reported tracking range of up to 2,000 km.
The facility is also expected to become part of a wider network of ground-based systems that will complement ISRO’s existing space-tracking infrastructure.
Land for ISRO Radar Centre
ISRO’s 2025–26 Annual Report states that a 67-acre site was identified at Chandrapur, Assam, for the NETRA radar. According to the report, the Memorandum of Transfer was executed in November 2023, while final registration of the land was completed on 7 November 2025.
Some media reports have referred to the land allocation as around 70 acres, while ISRO’s official annual report specifically records the identified radar site as 67 acres.
What is Project NETRA?
Project NETRA stands for Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis. It is ISRO’s initiative to strengthen India’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities.
Space Situational Awareness involves observing and tracking objects in space, determining their orbits and assessing potential risks to satellites and other space assets.
The system supports activities such as:
- Tracking satellites and space debris
- Determining the orbits of space objects
- Monitoring objects that may pose a collision risk
- Providing information for collision-avoidance operations
- Monitoring the re-entry of satellites and rocket bodies
- Improving India’s overall space situational awareness
- ISRO’s SSA Control Centre in Bengaluru, established in 2020, serves as an important hub for these activities.
NETRA’s Radar and Optical Tracking Network
Project NETRA is not limited to a single radar. It involves the development of a broader network of tracking facilities, including radars and optical telescope systems.
ISRO has been developing optical observation capabilities at locations such as Hanle in Ladakh, while its existing tracking infrastructure includes the Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) at Sriharikota.
The Chandrapur facility will add an important radar capability in the eastern part of India.
Why is the Chandrapur Radar Centre Important?
The increasing number of satellites and space debris has made space-object tracking an important part of modern space operations. Even relatively small objects can pose risks to satellites when they travel at extremely high orbital speeds.
The Chandrapur facility will strengthen India’s ability to monitor objects in orbit and provide information that can support the protection of Indian space assets.
The location in Assam also expands ISRO’s ground-based space-tracking infrastructure geographically, adding an important facility in northeastern India.
The project is therefore significant not only for India’s space situational awareness programme but also for the development of advanced scientific and technological infrastructure in Assam.
ISRO Advanced Radar Research Centre: Important Facts
Organisation: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Centre: Advanced Radar Research Facility
Location: Chandrapur, near Guwahati, Assam
Project: NETRA
Full Form of NETRA: Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis
Foundation Stone: 21 September 2026
Laid By: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
ISRO Chairman: V. Narayanan
Radar Technology: Phased-array radar
Land Identified: 67 acres
Land Registration Completed: 7 November 2025
First Radar: Planned for cloud research
Expected First Radar Timeline: February 2027
Main Purpose: Space-object and debris tracking
Field: Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
SSA Control Centre: Bengaluru
SSA Control Centre Established: 2020
Conclusion
The foundation stone of ISRO’s Advanced Radar Research Centre at Chandrapur, Assam, marks another development in India’s efforts to strengthen its space situational awareness infrastructure. The facility under Project NETRA will support the tracking of satellites, space debris and other objects in orbit, while its planned radar systems will also contribute to cloud and atmospheric research.
With the first radar expected to be developed for cloud research by February 2027, the Chandrapur facility is set to become an important part of India’s growing space-tracking network.
Share this articles