TecSAR

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

TecSAR (TechSAR/Polaris)
Organisation IAI
Mission type Reconnaissance
Satellite of Earth
Launch date 21 January 2008, 03:45 GMT
Carrier Rocket PSLV-CA
NSSDC ID 2008-002A
Webpage IAI
Mass 260 kg
Power 750 watts from solar panels
Orbital elements
Regime LEO
Inclination 41º
Orbital period ~90 minutes
Apoapsis 580 kilometres (360 mi)
Periapsis 450 kilometres (280 mi)

TecSAR, also known as TechSAR and Polaris, 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 an Indian PSLV rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.[1][2]

The TecSAR satellite is fitted with a large dish-like antenna to transmit and receive radar signals that can penetrate darkness and thick clouds. Built by Israeli Aerospace Industries, TecSAR ranks among the world's most advanced space systems.[3]

Contents

[edit] Launch

The satellite was successfully delivered into its target orbit some 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. Launch was contracted by the Antrix Corporation, the commercial department of the Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO.

The PSLV was selected as a launch vehicle since the Shavit rocket which has launched the Ofeq series of satellites could not be used for launching the TecSAR. Israel's geographical location and political implications means the Shavit can only be launched over the Mediterranean with which the low earth trajectory required for TecSAR cannot be achieved [4][5].

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[6]. Indian and Israeli authorities denied this, however, citing technical problems instead.[7] In Israel, however it was reported that the launch had been delayed due to Iranian pressure on the Indian government.[8]

[edit] Orbit

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

[edit] Mission

It is capable of imaging with a resolution of up to 10 centimetres[1], through an X-band radar system[9]. The satellite's maximum optical resolution is believed to be around 1 metre [10]. 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 [11]. It will be operated by Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI.

TecSAR started transmitting high quality images from 1 February 2008.[11] The first image transmitted was that of the Latrun memorial monument [12].

[edit] 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 conflict in the Middle East.[13]

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 programme.[14] It was also reported that it would be capable of producing images of Iranian activities which previous satellites were unable to view.[15][16]

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

[edit] Iranian reaction

A fortnight after the launch, Iranian Ambassador Seyed Mehdi Nabitzadeh said that the Indian government had been made aware of Iran's point of view, stating that his hope that "wise and independent countries like India do not give their space technologies to launch spying operations against Iran".[17]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Israeli Space Program
Eros · TecSAR
AMOS -> AMOS 1 · AMOS 2 · AMOS 3 · AMOS 4
Research Satellites
Techsat · Sloshsat
Satellites in development
Venus · TAUVEX · OPsat · INSAT

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Israeli spy satellite successfully launched from India. The Jerusalem Post (2008-01-21). Retrieved on 21 January 2008.
  2. ^ Israel launches new satellite to spy on Iran. Guardian Unlimited (2008-01-21). Retrieved on 22 January 2008.
  3. ^ Ninan Koshy, "India and Israel Eye Iran", Foreign Policy in Focus, 13 February 2008.
  4. ^ "US ‘pressure’ in stalling Indian launch of Israeli spy satellite TecSAR?", MeriNews Power to the People, 2007-12-06. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  5. ^ "ISRO and the spy in orbit", Deccan Herald, 2008-02-03. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  6. ^ JTA - Satellite launch delayed again
  7. ^ The Hindu - Israeli satellite launch by ISRO runs into 'tech difficulties'
  8. ^ Yaakov Katz, "Iran delayed satellite launch", The Jerusalem Post, 22 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  9. ^ Spaceflight Now - Covert satellite for Israel launched by Indian rocket
  10. ^ eoPortal Directory - TecSAR
  11. ^ a b "IAI's TecSAR Satellite Transmits First High-Quality Photos", The Space Fellowship, 2008-02-03. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  12. ^ "Israeli TecSAR spy satellite beams first images", Domain-b.com Aviation and Aerospace, 2008-02-01. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  13. ^ Ninan Koshy, "India and Israel Eye Iran", Foreign Policy in Focus, 13 February 2008.
  14. ^ Yaakov Katz, "Spy satellite launched from India" The Jerusalem Post, 21 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  15. ^ Yossi Melman, "Analysis: New Israeli spy satellite sends Iran a message", Haaretz, 21 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  16. ^ "India' space station launches Israel's new 'spy satellite,'" Middle East News, 21 January 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.
  17. ^ "India-Israel space ties irk Iran", 'Rediff, 5 February 2008, accessed 13 February 2008.