Israeli Spy Satellite Launch By ISRO Runs Into Technical Difficulties

The 260-kg technology demonstration satellite combines high resolution with large area coverage using electronic beam steering.

The launch of Israel's spy satellite by the Indian Space Resource Organisation (ISRO) is facing "technical difficulties" and will be rescheduled for launch once these are overcome, agency officials have reporterd. "We are facing some technical difficulties. Once we overcome these, the launch will be scheduled," ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said.

TechSAR, Israel's first synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite, can take sharp pictures of sub-metre resolution, which will boost its intelligence gathering capabilities significantly.

Nair said discussions were on with Israeli officials to sort out the matter.

On reports that the launch was cancelled under pressure from the US, he said "it is a figment of imagination."

"The launch is not scheduled yet," Nair said ruling out any suggestion of cancellation.

The satellite can be used to obtain clear images of activities on earth and they would be better than those available from the Indian Remote Sensing satellites.

The microwaves sent from SAR can penetrate thick cloud cover and dust storms and send sharp photographs back to earth.

The 260-kg technology demonstration satellite combines high resolution with large area coverage using electronic beam steering.

Israel has chosen the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle of ISRO to launch the satellite over its indigenously developed Shavit-1 launcher.