The launch of a controversial Israeli “spy satellite” by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) last month is expected to be the first of many such, and notwithstanding objections by Iran, a top Israeli diplomatic source has told The Indian Express.With India-Israel relations remaining on an upswing and ISRO having a natural advantage for launching rockets the Israeli aerospace industry does not, Tel Aviv would continue to pursue space co-operation under an agreement reached about three years ago. The comments came a day after Tehran’s envoy to New Delhi said his country had “informally” taken up the January 21 launch of the TECSAR satellite from Sriharikota and urged India not to allow its space technology to be used for spying on friendly countries.“Since we have limited capacity to launch rockets — we are looking for partners in this regard and India is a natural partner since we have such good relations,” the source said. “But it is not any favour India is doing Israel. India also stands to gain. It is a purely commercial issue.”The 300-kg TECSAR, reported to be Israel’s seventh satellite, is among its most advanced eyes in the sky as it is capable of monitoring changes on earth irrespective of light or weather conditions. The source did not elaborate on details of the use of the satellite but reiterated Israel’s doubts over Iran’s nuclear programme despite findings by US intelligence agencies saying that Tehran had given up plans to make nuclear weapons.“Iran is our biggest concern at the moment,” the source said. “Something not good is happening there and we cannot be sure of them. And the way that we prefer to act is by raising awareness.From the Israeli point of view, the satellite launch is sharing some ability so that we can see. If we need to do more than that, more than just see, we can do it on our own.”Israel needs the help of a country like India for launching satellites because of its geographic location and technical limitations. Tel Aviv is forced to launch its satellites to the west, against the force of the earth’s orbit, as it cannot afford debris from a failed launch to fall on its Arab neighbours and risk sparking tensions.Sriharikota, located strategically on India’s southeastern coast, has no such compulsions and offers an ideal launchpad, the source said. Experts also say that launching to the east gives extra energy to the rocket due to the rotation of the earth. The launch has not been without its share of controversy.ISRO first announced its plans to launch what it called a “remote sensing” satellite in October but put it off saying weather conditions were not ideal. Speculation, however, was rife that the UPA government had come under pressure from its Communist allies not to allow the launch as they said it was aimed at old friend Iran. For the record, MEA officials say the decision to launch was guided purely by commercial factors.
