India helps Israel launch satellite

NEW DELHI, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Israel's spy satellite TecSar was successfully launched from India's Sriharikota space center in southern Andhra Pradesh state, reports said.

The Press Trust of India quoted officials as saying it was a textbook launch, done in secrecy, using the indigenously developed Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle missile, known as the PSLV-C10.

The report said the 660-pound satellite is equipped with the advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar system. It was placed in its intended orbit 19 minutes, 45 seconds after the liftoff.

The Jerusalem Post reported India was picked as the location for the launch three years ago during the visit of Israeli defense ministry Director General Amos Yaron. Two more such satellites are scheduled to be launched as part of growing Indian-Israeli cooperation, the report said.