India, June 18 -- NASA and India's ISRO's joint effort, NISAR satellite, the $1.5 billion Earth-observing mission, is expected to be launched in July.

The satellite moved another step closer to launch last month when it arrived safely and sound at Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India's southeastern coast.

"Home to ISRO's launch facilities, the center will host the satellite's liftoff, slated for July," read the NASA website.

They also tested it to ensure it can withstand the rigors of launch and function properly in orbit.

In the early morning of May 14, crews placed the satellite in a specialized container and transported it about 220 miles (360 kilometers) by truck to the space center, arriving the following day. It will be placed in...