Israel Launches Advanced Spy Satellite - To spy on Iran's nuclear program...

Israel Launches Advanced Spy Satellite


JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel launched an advanced spy satellite Monday that will be able to track events in Iran, the country it considers its top foe, even at night and in cloudy weather, defense officials said.

The TECSAR satellite is of particular importance for Israel because it can be used to keep tabs on Iran's nuclear program, which the U.S. and Israel fear is a cover for pursuing nuclear weapons, they said.

The satellite, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, operates with a special radar system, allowing it to view much more than existing Ofek satellites that use cameras, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press.

Israel has backed U.S. efforts to get the international community to intensify sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program. Iran insists its program is for power generation.

http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/I/ISRAEL_SPY_SATELLITE?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-01-21-07-07-23

The drums of war are beating low and slow, but still they beat (wars and rumors of wars).