EROSB

   A spy satellite launched on 25 April 2006 reportedly for the purpose of monitoring conventional and nonconventional strategic threats posed by Israel's distant enemies, including Iran. It was reported that the satellite's main purpose was to track Iran's nuclear program. It was launched from a Siberian base atop a Russian rocket and transmitted its first pictures to Earth within days. ImageSat, the owner of EROS-B, is a private conglomerate owned by Israel Aircraft Industries (42 percent), Elbit Systems (8 percent), and various foreign investors. It shares the images it receives from the satellite with Israeli intelligence agencies and derives revenue by selling other images to civilian and foreign interests.

   See also OFEQ Satellite.