TecSAR Reconnaissance Satellite

Key Data:

Project Type

Reconnaissance Satellite

Country

Israel

Launch Date

21 January 2008

Key Players:

Sponsor

Israel Ministry of Defence Research & Development Directorate

Contractors

MBT Space Division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elta Systems Ltd (SAR Payload development)

Weights:

Payload Weight

295kg

Lift-Off Weight

230t

Performance:

Lifespan

Over five years

Solar Panels Output

750W at end-of-life (EOL)

Altitude

Low earth orbit (400km-800km)

Attitude Control

Three-axis stabilised satellite

The technological synthetic aperture satellite (TecSAR) is Israel's low-earth orbit (LEO) reconnaissance satellite. It is the first advanced space satellite developed in Israel and ranks among the most advanced space systems in the world. The main purpose of building the satellite is to be able to track activity of enemy nations.

The satellite, also known as TechSARr or Polaris, was built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Israel Ministry of Defence Research & Development Directorate (DRDD) has funded the satellite's development.

Under a commercial contract, Israel launched the satellite from India's Polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) at Sriharikota on 21 January 2008. The satellite's launch was postponed several times previously due to technical problems and bad weather conditions.

"The technological synthetic aperture satellite (TecSAR) is Israel's low-earth orbit (LEO) reconnaissance satellite."

The US Government ordered Northrop Grumman Corporation to build a similar satellite based on the TecSAR technology. Named Trinidad, the satellite will be built by Northrop Grumman in collaboration with IAI. An exclusive agreement was signed by Northrop Grumman with IAI in this regard to sell TecSAR to the US.