The launch of an Israeli satellite atop an Indian missile from a launch site in India bears a number of additional advantages. First, it enables Israel to establish a new point of view in space, allowing it photographic angles which were unavailable in prior satellite launches.

The direction of the launch, from the east and opposite to the earth's rotation, allows Israel increased coverage of sites in Iran. TECSAR's optical capability is based on SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology and on its cameras, which are more advanced than those employed by the Ofek intelligence satellites developed and used by Israel. Image resolution will be better, sharper, and of higher overall quality.

The radar technology aboard TECSAR renders its photo abilities usable under all earth weather conditions, including dense clouds, rain, and storms, and at night as well as during the daylight hours.

One of the world's space superpowers
Even before the Monday launch, Israel could take pride in being one of the world's superpowers in space, along with the United States, Russia, France, Britain, China and India. At the moment, Israel has three reconnaissance satellites in space, Ofek 5, launched in May, 2002, Ofek 7, sent into orbit last July, and TECSAR. It also has three communications satellites of the Amos and EROS series. This satellite system furnishes visual intelligence from radar.

The launch is also an expression of the growing cooperation between Israel and India in the security sphere as a whole, and in particular in the fields of missiles, radar, and satellites.

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