TecSAR EL / M - 2070 TecSAR , also known as TechSAR , Polaris and Ofek - 8 , is an Israeli reconnaissance satellite , equipped with synthetic aperture radar developed by Elta Systems . It was successfully launched at 03 : 45 GMT ( 09 : 15 local time ) on 21 January 2008 , by PSLV C - 10 Launch Vehicle , from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India . The TecSAR satellite is fitted with a large dish - like antenna to transmit and receive radar signals that can penetrate darkness and thick clouds . Built by Israel Aerospace Industries , TecSAR ranks among the world ' s most advanced space systems . Elta Systems Ltd cooperates with Azerbaijan to produce a TecSAR reconnaissance satellite system for the country . According to Azerbaijani military experts , this is an indispensable system for military operations in the mountainous terrains of Azerbaijan . Launch . The satellite was successfully delivered into its target orbit about twenty minutes after launch . The four - stage PSLV rocket flew in the CA , or " Core Alone " configuration , with no strap - on solid rocket booster s . PSLV - C10 , as the rocket used to launch TecSAR was designated , was the second flight of a PSLV - CA , and the twelfth overall for the PSLV series . Launch was contracted by the Antrix Corporation , the commercial department of the Indian Space Research Organisation , ISRO . The TecSAR represents the first Israeli use of the Indian PSLV launcher . This made possible an orbit that could not be reached from Israel , with an altitude of 450 - 580 kilometers and inclination of 41 degrees . As a result , TecSAR cruises from west to east , unlike all the other surveillance satellites launched from Israel itself . The PSLV was selected as TecSAR ' s launch vehicle since the Shavit rocket that was used to launch the Ofeq series of satellites put constraints on possible satellite orbits . Any launch from Israeli territory must be directed westwards , towards the sea , in order to prevent the launcher ' s first stages ( or the satellite itself , in case of a malfunction ) from falling on populated areas or on foreign territory . A westward launch , that is , against the direction of the Earth ' s rotation , seriously restricts the weight of the satellite that the launch vehicle can carry . In the past , Israel also experienced several failures - the most recent example being the attempted Ofeq - 6 launch in March 2004 . In such cases , security links and the operational experience of another partner can allow alternative launches when needed . The launch was delayed several times for unclear reasons . At one point , it was rumoured that the launch had been cancelled completely due to pressure from the US Government . Indian and Israeli authorities denied this , however , citing technical problems instead . In Israel it was rumoured that the launch had been delayed due to Iranian pressure on the Indian government . However this was eventually proven to be baseless speculation . Orbit . TecSAR was placed into a Low Earth orbit with an apogee of , a perigee of , and an equatorial inclination of 41 degrees . Mission . It is capable of imaging with a resolution of up to 10 centimetres , through an X - band radar system . The satellite ' s maximum resolution is believed to be around 1 metre . TecSAR is the first Israeli satellite to feature Synthetic Aperture Radar , or SAR , which will provide images day or night and under all weather conditions . The satellite is being operated by Israel Aerospace Industries . TecSAR started transmitting high quality images from 1 February 2008 . The first image transmitted was that of the Latrun memorial monument . Strategic significance . TecSAR considerably enhances Israel ' s intelligence - gathering capability . The satellite could potentially be the start of new strategic relations between Israel and India , and could affect the ongoing conflict in the Middle East . Israeli media discussed the strategic significance of the satellite , particularly with regard to Iran . It was reported that TecSAR ' s ability to produce images in adverse weather and at night would allow Israel to obtain more information about the suspected Iranian nuclear weapons program . It was also reported that it would be capable of producing images of Iranian activities which previous satellites were unable to view . Another report claimed that should Israel enter a conflict with Iran in the future , information provided by TecSAR could prove critical . Iranian reaction . A fortnight after the launch , Iranian Ambassador Seyed Mehdi Nabitzadeh announced in a press conference in New Delhi that he had conveyed Iran ' s point of view to the Indian government regarding the launch . He emphasized his hope that " wise and independent countries like India do not give their advanced space technologies to launch spying operations against Iran " . The Indians however stress that the launch was purely a commercial one .