View source for TecSAR-1

{{Short description|Israeli reconnaissance satellite}}
{{redirect|Ofeq-8|the optical reconnaissance satellite which was known as Ofeq-8 prior to launch|Ofeq-9}}
{{redirect|Polaris spacecraft|other spacecraft and spaceflight|Polaris (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name              = TecSAR-1
| names_list        = Ofeq-8<br />TechSar<br />Polaris
| image             = India launches Israeli satellite TecSAR.jpg
| image_caption     = Launch of TecSAR-1 on PSLV-C10
| image_size        = 300px

| mission_type      = [[Imaging radar]]
| operator          = [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] (IAI)
| COSPAR_ID         = 2008-002A
| SATCAT            = 32476
| website           = 
| mission_duration  = 4 years (planned)<br/>{{time interval|21 January 2008|3 July 2024|show=ymd}}

| spacecraft        = 
| spacecraft_type   = 
| spacecraft_bus    = TECSAR Bus
| manufacturer      = [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] (IAI)
| launch_mass       = {{cvt|295|kg}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isro.org/pslv-c10/PSLV-C10.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926043926/http://www.isro.org/pslv-c10/PSLV-C10.aspx|url-status=dead|title=PSLV-C10|publisher=ISRO|access-date=8 May 2021|archive-date=26 September 2014}}</ref>
| dry_mass          = 
| dimensions        = 
| power             = 750 [[watt]]s

| launch_date       = 21 January 2008, 03:45 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]
| launch_rocket     = [[Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle|PSLV-CA]] (PSLV-C10)
| launch_site       = [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|Satish Dhawan]], [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|FLP]]
| launch_contractor = [[Indian Space Research Organisation]]

| entered_service   = 1 February 2008
| disposal_type     = 
| last_contact      = 
| decay_date        = 3 July 2024

| orbit_reference   = [[Geocentric orbit]]<ref name="Trajectory">{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=2008-002A|title=Trajectory: TecSAR 2008-002A |publisher=NASA|date=27 April 2021|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
| orbit_regime      = [[Low Earth orbit]]
| orbit_periapsis   = {{cvt|405|km}}
| orbit_apoapsis    = {{cvt|580|km}}
| orbit_inclination = 41.03°
| orbit_period      = 94.50 minutes
| apsis             = gee

| programme         = [[Ofeq|Ofeq series]]
| previous_mission  = [[Ofeq-7]]
| next_mission      = [[Ofeq-9]]
}}

'''TecSAR-1''', also known as '''TechSAR''', '''Polaris''' and '''Ofeq-8''',<ref name="DN20100622">{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4681651&c=MID&s=AIR|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907071249/http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4681651&c=MID&s=AIR|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2012|title=Israel Launches Ofeq-9 Satellite|first=Barbara|last=Opall-Rome|publisher=DefenseNews|date=22 June 2010|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> is an Israeli [[reconnaissance satellite]], equipped with a [[synthetic-aperture radar]] (SAR) developed by [[Elta Systems]]. It was successfully launched at 03:45 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on 21 January 2008, by [[PSLV|PSLV C-10]] [[launch vehicle]], from the [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]] in India.<ref name="Guardian20080121">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jan/21/iran.marktran|title=Israel launches new satellite to spy on Iran|newspaper=The Guardian|date=21 January 2008|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>

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.<ref>[[Ninan Koshy]] [http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4959 India and Israel Eye Iran] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012235242/http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4959|date=October 12, 2009}} ''Foreign Policy in Focus'', 13 February 2008</ref>

[[Elta Systems|Elta Systems Ltd]] cooperates with [[Azerbaijani Armed Forces|Azerbaijan]] to produce a TecSAR reconnaissance satellite system for the country.<ref name="EurAsiaNet">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav081709a.shtml|title=Azerbaijan Mum about Israeli Spy Plane, Satellite Projects|website=eurasianet.org|date=16 August 2009|access-date=10 September 2016}}</ref> According to [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijani]] military experts, this is an indispensable system for military operations in the mountainous terrains of [[Azerbaijan]].<ref name="PanArmenian">{{cite web|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/33537|title=Israel rearms Azerbaijani army|website=panarmenian.net|date=30 June 2009|access-date=10 September 2016}}</ref>

== Launch ==
The satellite was successfully delivered into its target orbit about twenty minutes after launch. The four-stage [[Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle|PSLV]] rocket flew in the CA, or "Core Alone" configuration, with no strap-on [[solid rocket booster]]s. 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 the [[Antrix Corporation]], the commercial department of the [[Indian 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 the [[Shavit 2|Shavit]] launch vehicle 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00139.htm|title=Yiftah Shapir: Launch Of Israel's TecSAR Satellite|publisher=Scoop News|website=scoop.co.nz|date=13 February 2008|access-date=10 September 2016}}</ref>

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 [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Government]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb52008/panorama2008020450427.asp|title=ISRO and the spy in orbit|date=3 February 2008|access-date=21 August 2008|newspaper=Deccan Herald}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/105683.html|title=Satellite launch delayed again|access-date=2008-01-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206230725/http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/105683.html|archive-date=2007-12-06}}</ref> Indian and Israeli authorities denied this, however, citing technical problems instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200712031921.htm|title=The Hindu News Update Service|access-date=2008-01-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206063225/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200712031921.htm|archive-date=2008-02-06}}</ref> In Israel, it was rumoured that the launch had been delayed due to Iranian pressure on the Indian government.<ref name="TJP20080122">{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Iran-delayed-satellite-launch|title=Iran delayed satellite launch|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=22 January 2008|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> However, this was eventually proven to be baseless speculation.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

== Orbit ==
TecSAR-1 was placed into a [[low Earth orbit]] with an [[Apsis|apogee]] of {{cvt|580|km}}, a [[Apsis|perigee]] of {{cvt|405|km}}, and an equatorial [[orbital inclination|inclination]] of 41°.

== Mission ==
It is capable of imaging with a resolution of up to 10 centimeters through IAI's [[ELTA Systems|Elta System's ELM-2070]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://defense-update.com/20071225_tecsar.html|title=Operationally Responsive SAR Satellite Offered by a US-Israeli Team|publisher=Defense-Update|date=25 December 2007}},</ref> an [[X band|X-band]] SAR radar system.<ref name="SFN-Launch">{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0801/21pslv|title=Covert satellite for Israel launched by Indian rocket|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=21 January 2008|access-date=10 September 2016}}</ref> The satellite's maximum resolution is believed to be around 1 metre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/tecsar#summary|title=TecSAR (SAR Technology Demonstration Satellite)
|date=Jun 18, 2012|publisher=eoportal.org|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref name="spacefellowship">{{cite news|url=http://spacefellowship.com/News/?p=4390|title=IAI's TecSAR Satellite Transmits First High-Quality Photos|date=3 February 2008|access-date=5 February 2008|publisher=The Space Fellowship}}</ref> The satellite is being operated by [[Israel Aerospace Industries]].

TecSAR-1 started transmitting high quality images from 1 February 2008.<ref name="spacefellowship"/> The first image transmitted was that of the [[Latrun]] memorial monument.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.domain-b.com/aero/space/satellites/20080201_tecsar.html|title=Israeli TecSAR spy satellite beams first images|date=1 February 2008|access-date=5 February 2008|publisher=Aviation and Aerospace}}</ref>

Since the first launch, IAI and Elta Systems have continued developing the satellite and radar. IAI also introduced the TecSAR XP<ref>{{cite news |title=Cutting-edge reconnaissance satellites: Revolutionizing national security from space |url=https://www.defensa.com/peru/satelites-reconocimiento-vanguardia-revolucionando-seguridad |access-date=27 May 2025 |publisher=Defensa |date=24 April 2025}}</ref>, a SAR microsatellite that leverages the OPSAT-500 bus. TecSAR XP is designed to work in constellations or standalone configurations.

== Strategic significance ==
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 the [[Middle East]].<ref>[[Ninan Koshy]] [http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4959 India and Israel Eye Iran] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012235242/http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4959 |date=October 12, 2009}} Foreign Policy in Focus, 13 February 2008</ref>

Israeli media discussed the strategic significance of the satellite, particularly with regard to [[Iran]]. 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 suspected [[Iran and weapons of mass destruction|Iranian nuclear weapons program]].<ref>{{cite news|first1=Yaakov |last1=Katz|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel/spy-satellite-launched-from-india|title=Spy satellite launched from India|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=January 21, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> It was also reported that it would be capable of producing images of Iranian activities which previous satellites were unable to view.<ref>Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/946765.html Analysis: New Israeli spy satellite sends Iran a message] Haaretz 21 January 2008 accessed 13 February 2008</ref><ref>[http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/printer_1387769.php India' space station launches Israel's new 'spy satellite] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704031550/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/printer_1387769.php|date=2008-07-04}} Middle East News 21 January 2008 accessed 13 February 2008</ref> Another report claimed that should Israel enter a conflict with Iran in the future, information provided by TecSAR-1 could prove critical.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

== 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 [[Government of India|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".<ref>[http://www.rediff.com///news/2008/feb/05iran.htm India-Israel space ties irk Iran] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531015421/http://www.rediff.com/|date=May 31, 2010}} Rediff 5 February 2008, accessed 13 February 2008</ref> The Indians however stress that the launch was purely a commercial one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isro.org/newsletters/spaceindia/oct2007mar2008/Page4.htm|title=PSLV-C10 |access-date=2008-10-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022081156/http://www.isro.org/newsletters/spaceindia/oct2007mar2008/Page4.htm|archive-date=2008-10-22}}</ref><ref name="launch">{{cite news|title=India launches Israeli spy satellite|date=January 21, 2008|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080122/nation.htm|work=The Tribune|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[2008 in spaceflight]]
* [[Israel Aerospace Industries]]
* [[India-Israel relations]]
* [[RISAT]]
* [[Ofeq]]
* [[Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle]]
* [[Spy satellite]]
* [[Synthetic aperture radar]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikinews|Israeli spy satellite launched by Indian rocket}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091012235242/http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4959 India and Israel Eye Iran] ''Foreign Policy in Focus''

{{Israel Aerospace Industries}}
{{Products of Elta}}
{{Israeli Space Program|state=autocollapse}}
{{Rest of the World Reconnaissance Satellites}}
{{Orbital launches in 2008}}

[[Category:Reconnaissance satellites of Israel]]
[[Category:Synthetic aperture radar satellites]]
[[Category:Elta products]]
[[Category:Israel Aerospace Industries satellites]]
[[Category:India–Israel relations]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by PSLV rockets]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2008]]
[[Category:2008 in Israel]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]