Israel Launches Spy Satellite

26/04/2006| IslamWeb

Israel has launched a highly accurate imaging satellite that will enhance its ability to spy on Iran. 

The Israeli Eros B satellite was launched from a mobile pad at the Svobodny cosmodrome in Russia on Tuesday at 8:47pm (1647 GMT), said Alexei Kuznetsov, a spokesman for the military space forces.

About 20 minutes later, the satellite successfully reached orbit, Russian news agencies reported, citing the space forces' press service.

Israel's Channel 10 TV reported that the launch was successful, but the satellite would not deploy its power panels for another day and a half.

Israel's Eros B satellite is designed to spot images on the ground as small as 70cm (27.5 inches), a defence official said.

That level of resolution will allow Israel to gather information on Iran's nuclear programme and its long-range missiles, which are capable of striking Israel, he said, asking to remain anonymous.

The Israeli mass-circulation paper Yediot Aharonot reported that Eros B will join an earlier version of the satellite, launched in December 2000.

Both are set to augment the work of Israel's declared spy satellite, Ofek 5, which regularly passes over Arab territory.

The paper said Israel was planning to send up another spy satellite with the ability to view objects in all weather conditions and in darkness.

The Eros satellites are effective only in daylight and in clear visibility.

The launch comes at a time of heightened tension over Iran's nuclear programme.

The Eros satellites, which weigh less than 350kg, are among a number of small, lightweight satellites that Israel's space industry has perfected, the chief executive of ImageSat International, Shimon Eckhaus said.

The satellite manufacturer ImageSat International is partly owned by Israel Aircraft Industries, the country's biggest defence company.

Because of the country's location and size, the space industry favours smaller payloads that can more easily be launched from Israeli territory.

PHOTO CAPTION

Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz speaks during a news conference in Tel Aviv December 11, 2005. (REUTERS)