DEBKAfile Exclusive:
The successful test-firing of an Israeli long-range nuclear-capable missile Thursday timed for Russian naval exercise
January 19, 2008, 10:35 AM (GMT+02:00)
It was coordinated with the US Missile Defense Program.
Israeli and US defense officials tied up the last ends during PresidentPresident GeorgeGeorge. W. Bush?s visit last week. The successful test of a propulsion system for the dual-stage missile from the Palmahim base Thursday, Jan. 17, was a breakthrough. Western military experts report the new system can propel the missile to any point on earth ? an intercontinental capability owned only by the US, Russia, China and France, with important applications for Israel?s military and civilian satellite programs as well.
The test?s context was as much the huge Russian naval maneuver launched in the Mediterranean Tuesday, Jan. 16, as missile and potential nuclear threats from Iran. Eleven vessels were drawn for the war game from two Russian fleets, Atlantic Northwest and BlackBlack SeaSea. It is led by the AdmiralAdmiral KuznetsovKuznetsov air carrier with 47 warplanes and 10 helicopters on board and the Moskva missile cruiser.
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DEBKAfile:
New Israeli polar satellite launched from Indian space center begins transmitting
January 21, 2008, 10:38 PM (GMT+02:00)
Indian space center successfully boosts Israeli Tecsar into orbit
DEBKAfile?s military sources: The 300-kilogram Tecsar is the most advanced of Israel?s satellites. It is the first to be equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that allows its camera to take high-resolution pictures of small targets in cloudy or foggy weather at any point on earth.
It was launched from India because the Sriharikota space station in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh is positioned for boosting a satellite into polar orbit. Our military sources report that with Tecsar aloft, Israel will have complementary access for tracking Iranian?s nuclear and military activities that provided by its Ofek spy series..
The satellite, developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries, was launched by India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Monday, Jan. 21, at 05:45 Israeli time. It has signaled its smooth entry into orbit around the globe. First images will be beamed down to earth in two weeks.
This was India?s second commercial mission on behalf of a foreign country and was acclaimed in New Delhi as an ?important milestone? for India?s space program.
