TecSAR

EL/M-2070 TecSAR,[3] also known as TechSAR, Polaris and Ofek-8,[4] is an Israeli reconnaissance satellite, equipped with synthetic aperture radar developed by Elta Systems. It was successfully launched at 03:45 GMT (09:15 local time) on 21 January 2008, by PSLV C-10 Launch Vehicle, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India.[5][6]

"Ofek-8" redirects here. For the optical reconnaissance satellite which was known as Ofek-8 prior to launch, see Ofek-9.
TecSAR
Mission typeRadar imaging
OperatorIAI
COSPAR ID2008-002A
SATCAT no.32476
WebsiteIAI
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass295 kilograms (650 lb)[1]
Power750 watts
Start of mission
Launch date21 January 2008, 03:45 (2008-01-21UTC03:45Z) UTC
RocketPSLV-CA
Launch siteSatish Dhawan FLP
ContractorIndian Space Research Organisation
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude450 kilometres (280 mi)
Apogee altitude580 kilometres (360 mi)
Inclination41 degrees
Period~90 minutes
Epoch20 January 2008, 22:45:00 UTC[2]
 

The TecSAR satellite is fitted with a large dish-like antenna to transmit and receive radar signals that can penetrate darkness and thickness of clouds. Built by Israel Aerospace Industries, TecSAR ranks among the world's most advanced space systems.[7]

Elta Systems Ltd cooperates with Azerbaijan to produce a TecSAR reconnaissance satellite system for the country.[8] According to Azerbaijani military experts, this is an indispensable system for military operations in the mountainous terrains of Azerbaijan.[9]

Launch
Launch on PSLV

The satellite was successfully delivered into its target orbit about twenty minutes after launch. The four-stage PSLV rocket flew in the CA, or "Core Alone" configuration, with no strap-on solid rocket boosters. PSLV-C10, as the rocket used to launch TecSAR was designated, was the second flight of a PSLV-CA, and the twelfth overall for the PSLV series. Launch was contracted by the Antrix Corporation, the commercial department of the Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO. The TecSAR represents the first Israeli use of the Indian PSLV launcher. This made possible an orbit that could not be reached from Israel, with an altitude of 450-580 kilometers and inclination of 41 degrees. As a result, TecSAR cruises from west to east, unlike all the other surveillance satellites launched from Israel itself.

The PSLV was selected as TecSAR's launch vehicle since the Shavit rocket that was used to launch the Ofeq series of satellites put constraints on possible satellite orbits. Any launch from Israeli territory must be directed westwards, towards the sea, in order to prevent the launcher's first stages (or the satellite itself, in case of a malfunction) from falling on populated areas or on foreign territory. A westward launch, that is, against the direction of the Earth's rotation, seriously restricts the weight of the satellite that the launch vehicle can carry. In the past, Israel also experienced several failures - the most recent example being the attempted Ofeq-6 launch in March 2004. In such cases, security links and the operational experience of another partner can allow alternative launches when needed.[10]

The launch was delayed several times for unclear reasons. At one point, it was rumoured that the launch had been cancelled completely due to pressure from the US Government.[11][12] Indian and Israeli authorities denied this, however, citing technical problems instead.[13] In Israel it was rumoured that the launch had been delayed due to Iranian pressure on the Indian government.[14] However this was eventually proven to be baseless speculation.

Orbit

TecSAR was placed into a Low Earth orbit with an apogee of 580 kilometres (360 mi), a perigee of 450 kilometres (280 mi), and an equatorial inclination of 41 degrees.

Mission

It is capable of imaging with a resolution of up to 10 centimetres,[5] through an X-band radar system.[15] The satellite's maximum resolution is believed to be around 1 metre.[16] TecSAR is the first Israeli satellite to feature Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR, which will provide images day or night and under all weather conditions.[17] The satellite is being operated by Israel Aerospace Industries.

TecSAR started transmitting high quality images from 1 February 2008.[17] The first image transmitted was that of the Latrun memorial monument.[18]

Strategic significance

TecSAR considerably enhances Israel's intelligence-gathering capability. The satellite could potentially be the start of new strategic relations between Israel and India, and could affect the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.[19]

Israeli media discussed the strategic significance of the satellite, particularly with regard to Iran. It was reported that TecSAR's ability to produce images in adverse weather and at night would allow Israel to obtain more information about the suspected Iranian nuclear weapons program.[20] It was also reported that it would be capable of producing images of Iranian activities which previous satellites were unable to view.[21][22]

Another report claimed that should Israel enter a conflict with Iran in the future, information provided by TecSAR could prove critical.

Iranian reaction

A fortnight after the launch, Iranian Ambassador Seyed Mehdi Nabitzadeh announced in a press conference in New Delhi that he had conveyed Iran's point of view to the Indian government regarding the launch. He emphasized his hope that "wise and independent countries like India do not give their advanced space technologies to launch spying operations against Iran".[23] The Indians however stress that the launch was purely a commercial one.[24][25]

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-09-26. Retrieved 2014-10-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Trajectory Details". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2012-03-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. Opall-Rome, Barbara (22 June 2010). "Israel Launches Ofeq-9 Satellite". Defense News. Archived from the original on 23 June 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  5. "Israeli spy satellite successfully launched from India". The Jerusalem Post. 21 January 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
  6. Tran, Mark (21 January 2008). "Israel launches new satellite to spy on Iran". Guardian Unlimited. London. Retrieved 22 January 2008.
  7. Ninan Koshy, "India and Israel Eye Iran Archived October 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", Foreign Policy in Focus, 13 February 2008.
  8. "Azerbaijan Mum about Israeli Spy Plane, Satellite Projects". EurasiaNet.org. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  9. "Israel rearms Azerbaijani army". Panarmenian.Net. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  10. "Yiftah Shapir: Launch Of Israel's TecSAR Satellite | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  11. "ISRO and the spy in orbit". Deccan Herald. 3 February 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2008-01-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-01-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. Yaakov Katz, "Iran delayed satellite launch", The Jerusalem Post, 22 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  15. "Breaking News | Covert satellite for Israel launched by Indian rocket". Spaceflight Now. 21 January 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  17. "IAI's TecSAR Satellite Transmits First High-Quality Photos". The Space Fellowship. 3 February 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  18. "Israeli TecSAR spy satellite beams first images". Domain-b.com Aviation and Aerospace. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  19. Ninan Koshy, "India and Israel Eye Iran Archived October 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", Foreign Policy in Focus, 13 February 2008.
  20. Yaakov Katz, "Spy satellite launched from India" The Jerusalem Post, 21 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  21. Yossi Melman, "Analysis: New Israeli spy satellite sends Iran a message", Haaretz, 21 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  22. "India' space station launches Israel's new 'spy satellite Archived 2008-07-04 at the Wayback Machine,'" Middle East News, 21 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  23. "India-Israel space ties irk Iran Archived May 31, 2010, at the Wayback Machine", 'Rediff, 5 February 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-10-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "ISRO puts Israeli 'spy' satellite in orbit | Business Line". Thehindubusinessline.com. 22 January 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
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