Israel Fires 1st Satellite Into Space : Denies It’s for Spying; Impact on Mideast Arms Race Possible

Israel launched its first satellite into space Monday, an achievement that some experts said could have wide significance for the burgeoning arms race in the Middle East.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. local time, an Israeli rocket streaked into the cloudless Mediterranean sky, an orange flame visible at the head of a long white plume of smoke. The satellite it carried, called Horizon 1, was described as experimental by jubilant Israeli officials.

The officials took pains to deny that Horizon 1 is a spy satellite, but some experts say it is probably an electronic intelligence satellite capable of picking up telephone and radio communications as well as telemetry data from missiles.

‘An Ongoing Interest’

W. Seth Carus, a missile expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Israel “has had an ongoing interest in electronic intelligence for many years.”

In London, a spokesman for Jane’s Defense Weekly said the Israeli satellite is “apparently for monitoring activity in Arab countries.” He said that “U.S. optical equipment is assumed to have been used.”

In Washington, however, State Department spokesman Charles Redman said, “We were not in any way involved, nor did we assist in this launch.” He said the launching highlights U.S. concern about the spread of missile technology that can be used to deliver nuclear weapons.

Also in Washington, an Arab League representative voiced concern about the launch and said it means that the Arabs will have to strengthen their defenses, the Associated Press reported.

“We are deeply concerned that such a communications satellite can be modified into a spy system. . . ,” said Clovis Maksoud, the Arab League’s envoy to Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir said the launching puts Israel “in the forefront of modern technology in the world” and added: “Few countries are able to launch such a thing. The citizens of Israel can be proud of it.”

The launching makes Israel the eighth country to have put a satellite in orbit. The others are the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, France, China, Japan and India.

Little information was available about the rocket booster used to place the satellite in orbit. Speculation centered on the Jericho 2, a ground-to-ground missile developed by the Israelis. It is a ballistic missile with a known range of more than 900 miles and is thought to be easily adaptable for the satellite mission.

The Israel Space Agency said in announcing the launching that it “was aimed at testing the ability of the satellite to enter orbit around the planet and the function of the system in space.”

Yuval Neeman, who heads the space agency, said Horizon 1 entered a planned 90-minute elliptical orbit, passing within 155 miles of Earth at its closest point and about 600 miles out at its farthest. The bullet-shaped satellite weighs 330 pounds and has a pair of solar panels that supply it with power.

Expected to Self-Destruct

Neeman said Horizon 1 is only “measuring itself” in orbit and will self-destruct in the atmosphere about a month from now.

According to recent reports published abroad, Israel is working to put up a network of spy satellites. If so, Monday’s launching could be the first step in such a program.

Government officials here were sensitive to the implications of the flight in light of increasing competition among hostile neighbors to outdo each other in offensive and defensive arms.

“This is not an arms race; this is technology,” Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said. “The Arabs bought missiles and produce missiles and, anyway, will do anything they can.”

Still, Israel’s development of a satellite reflects its concern over the arms buildup among its neighbors. The use of missiles in the Iran-Iraq War was especially worrisome to Israeli officials, according to reports here. Military observers here feel that Israel must improve its spy hardware to ensure a good view of an enemy’s activities.

Missiles From China

Saudi Arabia recently bought missiles from China that have a range of 2,000 miles, reportedly to counter armed threats from Iran. Syria is negotiating with China for the purchase of shorter-range missiles that could endanger Israeli population centers.

“The Middle East has now entered the era of long-range ballistic missiles, and we have to put a lot of thinking into that,” Zeev Schiff, an Israeli journalist and military expert, wrote last month.

“The development of weapons systems show that Israel’s air force may face many more difficulties than in the past to penetrate deep into enemy territory, whether in reconnaissance or to attack vital targets,” Schiff said. “If Israel gets a satellite, it will be one of the most important means to prevent a surprise attack on Israel.”

At present, Israel depends on the United States for satellite intelligence while it operates its own fleet of spy aircraft and sophisticated drones. One Israeli scientist quoted by the Jerusalem Post put the cost of building an effective spy satellite system at $10 billion.

Soviets Now Within Range

While much attention has focused on the defensive aspects of Monday’s launching, little was said about the offensive capabilities of the Jericho 2. Israel is capable of producing nuclear weapons and perhaps chemical weapons, according to reports from abroad, and the Jericho 2 puts countries as far away as Iraq, Turkey, Libya and even the Soviet Union within range.

Monday’s launching underscored the continuing proliferation of missiles among Third World countries despite efforts by the U.S. and other governments. U.S. and Soviet officials are expected to discuss the profusion of high-technology weapons at a meeting scheduled to begin next Monday in Washington.