TecSAR Satellite Transmits First High-Quality Photos

Released on Thursday, January 31, 2008

Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) TecSAR satellite transmitted its first images yesterday evening. The images, transmitted during a stormy night, were of exceptional quality.

"All the satellite's sub-systems work perfectly. This is a tremendous achievement that places IAI in an exclusive and short list of satellite manufacturers around the world," said Itzhak Nissan, IAI's President & CEO, while viewing the images.

The TecSAR was successfully launched into orbit on January 21, 2008 on an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The launch was part of a cooperation agreement between the Government of India and IAI relating to space activities.

The TecSAR is the first satellite of its kind developed in Israel, and ranks among the world's most advanced space systems. It carries a SAR payload, designed to provide images during day, night and all weather conditions, including under cloud cover. The satellite is controlled and monitored by an IAI-based ground station.