Israel needs the help of a country like India for launching satellites because of its geographic location and technical limitations. Tel Aviv is forced to launch its satellites to the west, against the force of the earth’s orbit, as it cannot afford debris from a failed launch to fall on its Arab neighbours and risk sparking tensions.

Sriharikota, located strategically on India’s southeastern coast, has no such compulsions and offers an ideal launchpad, the source said. Experts also say that launching to the east gives extra energy to the rocket due to the rotation of the earth. The launch has not been without its share of controversy.

ISRO first announced its plans to launch what it called a “remote sensing” satellite in October but put it off saying weather conditions were not ideal. Speculation, however, was rife that the UPA government had come under pressure from its Communist allies not to allow the launch as they said it was aimed at old friend Iran. For the record, MEA officials say the decision to launch was guided purely by commercial factors.