NASA and India have paired up to launch an Earth-mapping satellite capable of tracking the slightest changes in land and ice. Scientists say the $1.3 billion mission will help forecasters and first responders stay one step ahead of floods, landslides and other disasters.

India and the United States have jointly launched one of the world’s most advanced Earth observation satellites—Nisar. Built by ISRO and NASA, this 2,392kg satellite will detect the tiniest shifts in land,