 Launch of TecSAR-1 on PSLV-C10 | |
| Names | Ofeq-8 TechSar Polaris |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Imaging radar |
| Operator | Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) |
| COSPAR ID | 2008-002A |
| SATCATno. | 32476 |
| Mission duration | 4 years (planned) 16 years, 5 months and 12 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | TECSAR Bus |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) |
| Launch mass | 295 kg (650 lb)[1] |
| Power | 750watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 January 2008, 03:45UTC |
| Rocket | PSLV-CA (PSLV-C10) |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan,FLP |
| Contractor | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Entered service | 1 February 2008 |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 3 July 2024 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[2] |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 405 km (252 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 580 km (360 mi) |
| Inclination | 41.03° |
| Period | 94.50 minutes |
TecSAR-1, also known asTechSAR,Polaris andOfeq-8,[3] is an Israelireconnaissance satellite, equipped with asynthetic-aperture radar (SAR) developed byElta Systems. It was successfully launched at 03:45UTC on 21 January 2008, byPSLV C-10launch vehicle, from theSatish Dhawan Space Centre in India.[4]
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 byIsrael Aerospace Industries, TecSAR ranks among the world's most advanced space systems.[5]
Elta Systems Ltd cooperates withAzerbaijan to produce a TecSAR reconnaissance satellite system for the country.[6] According toAzerbaijani military experts, this is an indispensable system for military operations in the mountainous terrains ofAzerbaijan.[7]
The satellite was successfully delivered into its target orbit about twenty minutes after launch. The four-stagePSLV rocket flew in the CA, or "Core Alone" configuration, with no strap-onsolid rocket boosters. PSLV-C10, as the launch vehicle used to launch TecSAR-1 was designated, was the second flight of a PSLV-CA, and the twelfth overall for the PSLV series. Launch was contracted by theAntrix Corporation, the commercial department of theIndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The TecSAR-1 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 41.00°. As a result, TecSAR-1 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 theShavit launch vehicle that was used to launch theOfeq 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 attemptedOfeq-6 launch in March 2004. In such cases, security links and the operational experience of another partner can allow alternative launches when needed.[8]
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 theU.S. Government.[9][10] Indian and Israeli authorities denied this, however, citing technical problems instead.[11] In Israel, it was rumoured that the launch had been delayed due to Iranian pressure on the Indian government.[12] However, this was eventually proven to be baseless speculation.[citation needed]
TecSAR-1 was placed into alow Earth orbit with anapogee of 580 km (360 mi), aperigee of 405 km (252 mi), and an equatorialinclination of 41°.
It is capable of imaging with a resolution of up to 10 centimeters through IAI'sElta System's ELM-2070[13] anX-band SAR radar system.[14] The satellite's maximum resolution is believed to be around 1 metre.[15] TecSAR-1 is the first Israeli satellite to feature Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR, which will provide images day or night and under all weather conditions.[16] The satellite is being operated byIsrael Aerospace Industries.
TecSAR-1 started transmitting high quality images from 1 February 2008.[16] The first image transmitted was that of theLatrun memorial monument.[17]
Since the first launch, IAI and Elta Systems have continued developing the satellite and radar. IAI also introduced the TecSAR XP,[18] a SAR microsatellite that leverages the OPSAT-500 bus. TecSAR XP is designed to work in constellations or standalone configurations.
TecSAR-1 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 theMiddle East.[19]
Israeli media discussed the strategic significance of the satellite, particularly with regard toIran. It was reported that TecSAR-1's ability to produce images in adverse weather and at night would allow Israel to obtain more information about the suspectedIranian 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-1 could prove critical.[citation needed]
A fortnight after the launch, Iranian Ambassador Seyed Mehdi Nabitzadeh announced in a press conference inNew Delhi that he had conveyed Iran's point of view to theIndian 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]
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France |
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Germany |
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India |
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Israel |
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Italy |
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Japan |
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Pakistan |
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South Korea |
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Spain |
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Turkey |
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