January 23, 2008: The Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO) launched an Israeli spy satellite on January 21st. This was the second commercial launch for
ISRO, as they launched an Italian satellite last year. ISRO is a new player in
this market, and has some pluses and minuses. ISRO launches cost about a third
less than what anyone else charges. However, the ISRO rockets can only put
lightweight birds into orbit. The Israeli Polaris satellite weighed 650 pounds.
Because of rapid recent progress in electronics miniaturization, and more
efficient solar panels and batteries, you can get a lot of spy satellite for 650
pounds.
Israel and India have been developing a
growing cooperation in military affairs. Both nations are the targets of
Islamic radicals, and both have booming economies. India has a Jewish minority
that has been around for over two thousand years. Many of those Indian Jews
have moved to Israel in the last half century, although many are now spending
more time in the "old country." Israel can supply India with the latest
military technology, as well as a partner for developing new military, and
non-military tech. Both nations also cooperate in the battle against Islamic
terrorism.
