Thursday, May 14, 2009
Indian RISAT - An Israeli spying machine
Afshain Afzal
Few days back, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), G Madhavan Nair, confirmed that India's Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT), launched on April 20, has begun sending images. The 300-kilograms satellite, RISAT in a 550 kilometres height orbit with an inclination of 41 degrees to the equator and an orbital period of about 90 minutes. The launch marked the covert operational use of the Indo-Israeli jointly developed Advanced Mission Computers and Advanced Telemetry System, which guided the vehicle from lift-off till the injection of the two satellites in the desired orbit. RISAT is a dual purpose 'civil and military' acquired from Israel for surveillance that can take 1 metre resolution images at night and through clouds. It is interesting to know that why India acquired an Israeli satellite when it was already in possession of military reconnaissance satellites 'Technology Experiment Satellite (TES)' weighing over 1000 kilograms, which was equipped with optical sensors and powerful telescopic cameras. Unofficial reports suggest that the satellite turned blind during night, under heavy cloud and in monsoons. It is also being said that the images of this satellite are hazy and is not effected tool for analyzing military movements. India was utilizing the facilities of Canadian all-weather satellite before the RISAT was sent to the orbit. For the latest defence purpose imageries, India was commercially purchasing it from different countries, including Russia, Israel and US. RISAT is equipped with spying capabilities and capable of taking high-resolution images through clouds due to its inbuilt night vision device. This spy satellite, which will basically target Pakistan, Afghanistan Iran, Bangladesh, China and other target countries of interest will help Indian, Israeli, Italian and US intelligence agencies to keep a watch on real time movement of important personalities, groups and other strategic-cum-tactical developments. Although India is tight lipped and claims that RISAT would be mainly used for disaster management purpose but pictures taken by the said satellite can be used for any clandestine purpose, including defence.
RISAT has a unique feature as compared to India's other remote-sensing satellites as it uses the Israeli developed Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), equipped with many antennas to receive signals that are processed into high-resolution pictures. Reacting to media reports terming RISAT a spy satellite or defence surveillance satellite, the ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair dismissed reports labelling RISAT a spy satellite and said that it is an imaging satellite that can identify features on ground and has a global coverage and that India will use it only for its own use. Irrespective of India's official stand, no one can deny that the satellite's synthetic aperture radar gives it day-night capability and the ability to look through clouds and fog, thus giving it defence and spying applications. Indo-Israeli military and intelligence collaboration is reaching to a danger mark. The successful launching of an Israeli procured sophisticated surveillance satellite 'RISAT', is directly threatening the very existence of some Middle Eastern and Asian countries including Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh as well as China. India is fooling the world when it claims that the satellite "will enhance ISRO's capability for earth observation, especially during floods, cyclones, landslides and in management of disasters." Although ISRO Chairman has officially denied that the satellite would primarily serve intelligence purposes but he himself has admitted that "spying depends on the user of the satellite". At many occasions in off-the-record statements, India has attested to the fact that the satellite was meant for military surveillance of India's borders and coastal areas, to prevent terror attacks and infiltration. India has reportedly made secret agreements with US, UK, Israel and Italy with regard to selling of sensitive imagery for the utilization of defence and security agencies. Although RISAT is a dual purposes satellite but India must make it clear, whether ISRO will use it for military purposes and sell its imageries commercially. In that case there may be countries who would think about developing Anti Satellites (ASAT). There are reports that Israel has intentionally launched RISAT through India to camouflage its missions against Muslim world.
The similarity of RISAT with Israeli TecSAR satellite which was launched on January 21, 2008 has put a big question mark on ISRO's claim of indigenous development. There can be no doubt that RISAT's prime objective is to keep an eye on Pakistani and Iranian nuclear and missile development programmes. Another prime target of this satellite is China. The policy makers in India are much perturbed over Indian intelligence reports, especially RAW, that mass infiltration of militants from Pakistan into India territories has become a constant feature. The government of India feels helpless in tackling with bundles of intelligence reports that Pakistan is attempting to disintegrate Indian union. India considers that its new spy satellite 'RISAT' will help its security agencies to keep close surveillance of India's borders and neighbouring areas, the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, coastal and maritime areas etc. One thing good about the 'RISAT' is that India would be able to realise very soon that its intelligence agencies, including RAW, had been bluffing Indian government that infiltration of Pakistani and foreign mercenaries is taking place and Pakistan is the prime cause of unrest in India. It is pertinent to mention here that it will be India's mistake to presume that its joint conspiracy in Asian and Middle Eastern regions would be a success story. Just to remind India and Israel, Soviet Union had technological edge over its revivals but today it is a history. Similarly, Israel and many other powerful countries united against tiny state of Palestine but six decades of efforts could not bring fruits. India needs to keep the example of Soviet Union in its mind and concentrate on its own homegrown problems rather than wondering what other states are doing. Pakistan is hopeful that once India finds out the truth that Pakistan is not sponsoring terrorism inside its territories, there would be bright chances that Pakistan and India may come closer and resume Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) which may lead to the resolution of all the pending irritants, including right of self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir
Indian RISAT - An Israeli spying machine
Afshain Afzal
Few days back, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), G Madhavan Nair, confirmed that India's Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT), launched on April 20, has begun sending images. The 300-kilograms satellite, RISAT in a 550 kilometres height orbit with an inclination of 41 degrees to the equator and an orbital period of about 90 minutes. The launch marked the covert operational use of the Indo-Israeli jointly developed Advanced Mission Computers and Advanced Telemetry System, which guided the vehicle from lift-off till the injection of the two satellites in the desired orbit. RISAT is a dual purpose 'civil and military' acquired from Israel for surveillance that can take 1 metre resolution images at night and through clouds. It is interesting to know that why India acquired an Israeli satellite when it was already in possession of military reconnaissance satellites 'Technology Experiment Satellite (TES)' weighing over 1000 kilograms, which was equipped with optical sensors and powerful telescopic cameras. Unofficial reports suggest that the satellite turned blind during night, under heavy cloud and in monsoons. It is also being said that the images of this satellite are hazy and is not effected tool for analyzing military movements. India was utilizing the facilities of Canadian all-weather satellite before the RISAT was sent to the orbit. For the latest defence purpose imageries, India was commercially purchasing it from different countries, including Russia, Israel and US. RISAT is equipped with spying capabilities and capable of taking high-resolution images through clouds due to its inbuilt night vision device. This spy satellite, which will basically target Pakistan, Afghanistan Iran, Bangladesh, China and other target countries of interest will help Indian, Israeli, Italian and US intelligence agencies to keep a watch on real time movement of important personalities, groups and other strategic-cum-tactical developments. Although India is tight lipped and claims that RISAT would be mainly used for disaster management purpose but pictures taken by the said satellite can be used for any clandestine purpose, including defence.
RISAT has a unique feature as compared to India's other remote-sensing satellites as it uses the Israeli developed Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), equipped with many antennas to receive signals that are processed into high-resolution pictures. Reacting to media reports terming RISAT a spy satellite or defence surveillance satellite, the ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair dismissed reports labelling RISAT a spy satellite and said that it is an imaging satellite that can identify features on ground and has a global coverage and that India will use it only for its own use. Irrespective of India's official stand, no one can deny that the satellite's synthetic aperture radar gives it day-night capability and the ability to look through clouds and fog, thus giving it defence and spying applications. Indo-Israeli military and intelligence collaboration is reaching to a danger mark. The successful launching of an Israeli procured sophisticated surveillance satellite 'RISAT', is directly threatening the very existence of some Middle Eastern and Asian countries including Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh as well as China. India is fooling the world when it claims that the satellite "will enhance ISRO's capability for earth observation, especially during floods, cyclones, landslides and in management of disasters." Although ISRO Chairman has officially denied that the satellite would primarily serve intelligence purposes but he himself has admitted that "spying depends on the user of the satellite". At many occasions in off-the-record statements, India has attested to the fact that the satellite was meant for military surveillance of India's borders and coastal areas, to prevent terror attacks and infiltration. India has reportedly made secret agreements with US, UK, Israel and Italy with regard to selling of sensitive imagery for the utilization of defence and security agencies. Although RISAT is a dual purposes satellite but India must make it clear, whether ISRO will use it for military purposes and sell its imageries commercially. In that case there may be countries who would think about developing Anti Satellites (ASAT). There are reports that Israel has intentionally launched RISAT through India to camouflage its missions against Muslim world.
The similarity of RISAT with Israeli TecSAR satellite which was launched on January 21, 2008 has put a big question mark on ISRO's claim of indigenous development. There can be no doubt that RISAT's prime objective is to keep an eye on Pakistani and Iranian nuclear and missile development programmes. Another prime target of this satellite is China. The policy makers in India are much perturbed over Indian intelligence reports, especially RAW, that mass infiltration of militants from Pakistan into India territories has become a constant feature. The government of India feels helpless in tackling with bundles of intelligence reports that Pakistan is attempting to disintegrate Indian union. India considers that its new spy satellite 'RISAT' will help its security agencies to keep close surveillance of India's borders and neighbouring areas, the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, coastal and maritime areas etc. One thing good about the 'RISAT' is that India would be able to realise very soon that its intelligence agencies, including RAW, had been bluffing Indian government that infiltration of Pakistani and foreign mercenaries is taking place and Pakistan is the prime cause of unrest in India. It is pertinent to mention here that it will be India's mistake to presume that its joint conspiracy in Asian and Middle Eastern regions would be a success story. Just to remind India and Israel, Soviet Union had technological edge over its revivals but today it is a history. Similarly, Israel and many other powerful countries united against tiny state of Palestine but six decades of efforts could not bring fruits. India needs to keep the example of Soviet Union in its mind and concentrate on its own homegrown problems rather than wondering what other states are doing. Pakistan is hopeful that once India finds out the truth that Pakistan is not sponsoring terrorism inside its territories, there would be bright chances that Pakistan and India may come closer and resume Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) which may lead to the resolution of all the pending irritants, including right of self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir
, Google earths pictures do not have resolution same as some military satellites have...
