Israeli spy satellite to monitor Iran launched from Russia
Dated 26/4/2006
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Moscow: Israel's Eros-B1 satellite that will reportedly monitor Iranian nuclear facilities was successfully launched into orbit from eastern Russia early Wednesday, military officials said.
The satellite was launched from the Svobodny launch centre at 0247 hours local time on a 50 tonne Start-1 converted intercontinental ballistic missile.
The 370-kg probe is due to operate for six years, as it tracks the Iranian nuclear programme, according to Israeli media.
With a camera resolution of 0.8 metres, the satellite can photograph the same area every four days.
Its predecessor, Eros-A, which was launched from Svobodny in December 2000, was used by the Israeli Defence Ministry. India also was a recipient of photographs from Eros-A, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported.
