TecSAR-1

"Ofeq-8" redirects here. For the optical reconnaissance satellite which was known as Ofeq-8 prior to launch, see Ofeq-9.
"Polaris spacecraft" redirects here. For other spacecraft and spaceflight, see Polaris (disambiguation).

TecSAR-1
Launch of TecSAR-1 on PSLV-C10
NamesOfeq-8
TechSar
Polaris
Mission typeImaging radar
OperatorIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI)
COSPAR ID2008-002A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.32476
Mission duration4 years (planned)
16 years, 5 months and 12 days
Spacecraft properties
BusTECSAR Bus
ManufacturerIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI)
Launch mass295 kg (650 lb) [1]
Power750 watts
Start of mission
Launch date21 January 2008, 03:45 UTC
RocketPSLV-CA (PSLV-C10)
Launch siteSatish Dhawan, FLP
ContractorIndian Space Research Organisation
Entered service1 February 2008
End of mission
Decay date3 July 2024
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[2]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude405 km (252 mi)
Apogee altitude580 km (360 mi)
Inclination41.03°
Period94.50 minutes
← Ofeq-7
Ofeq-9 →

TecSAR-1, also known as TechSAR, Polaris and Ofeq-8,[3] is an Israeli reconnaissance satellite, equipped with a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) developed by Elta Systems. It was successfully launched at 03:45 UTC on 21 January 2008, by PSLV C-10 launch vehicle, from the Satish 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 by Israel Aerospace Industries, TecSAR ranks among the world's most advanced space systems.[5]

Elta Systems Ltd cooperates with Azerbaijan to produce a TecSAR reconnaissance satellite system for the country.[6] According to Azerbaijani military experts, this is an indispensable system for military operations in the mountainous terrains of Azerbaijan.[7]

  1. ^ "PSLV-C10". ISRO. Archived from the original on 26 September 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Trajectory: TecSAR 2008-002A". NASA. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  3. ^ Opall-Rome, Barbara (22 June 2010). "Israel Launches Ofeq-9 Satellite". DefenseNews. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Israel launches new satellite to spy on Iran". The Guardian. 21 January 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  5. ^ Ninan Koshy India and Israel Eye Iran Archived October 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Foreign Policy in Focus, 13 February 2008
  6. ^ "Azerbaijan Mum about Israeli Spy Plane, Satellite Projects". eurasianet.org. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Israel rearms Azerbaijani army". panarmenian.net. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2016.