Israel

Israel becomes 15th nation to join Artemis Accords
Israel has joined the U.S.-led Artemis Accords for space exploration, hoping to use the agreement as a means of enhancing its space cooperation in the fields of research, science and innovation.

U.S. government to allow sale of high-resolution commercial satellite images of Israel
The federal government will soon allow U.S. commercial remote sensing companies to sell high-resolution satellite images of Israel, changing resolution limits that have been in place for more than two decades.


IAI anticipates additional satellite orders from Israeli government
“I’m very glad for the Dror-1 initiation, and I’m sure it will be followed by Dror-2 and others,” Levy said. “It will give us the right momentum in our space activities.”

IAI to build communications satellite for Israel
Israel Aerospace Industries said Jan. 2 it will develop a national communications satellite for Israel called Dror-1.

SSTL appoints new boss • InfoStellar adds Aussie ground stations to network
Phil Brownnett, currently the managing director of Airbus Defence and Space’s U.K. Geo Intelligence business, will take over as head of smallsat manufacturer SSTL Feb. 1.


Bridenstine visits Israel on first foreign trip
On his first foreign trip since taking office nearly three months ago, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine traveled to Israel this week to meet with the country’s prime minister and other officials.

Israel may field IAI-built satellite at Amos hotspot, Spacecom says
The Israeli government has told Spacecom it intends to operate a satellite at the same location as most of Spacecom’s fleet, the Israeli satellite operator said April 30.

Without Amos-8, IAI angling for government lifeline in telecom satellite manufacturing
Israeli satellite operator Spacecom’s decision to buy its next satellite from U.S. manufacturer Space Systems Loral is jeopardizing Israel’s domestic comsat manufacturing capability.

Israel Aerospace Industries Sharpens its Satellite Export Focus
Israel Aerospace Industries, in its first satellite export contract, has sold a high-resolution optical imaging spacecraft to an unnamed government and is also introducing an all-electric version of its Amos telecommunications satellite line.

Q&A with Isaac Ben-Israel, Chairman of the Israel Space Agency
The growing popularity of national imaging satellites should play to Israel’s strength in low-weight, high-performance spacecraft. Isaac Ben-Israel says Israel is doing what’s necessary to better equip — and support — its industry on global markets.

ImageSat Exec Says Eros-C Will Equal Market’s Best Resolution
ImageSat International suggested its long-delayed Eros-C satellite, now under construction at parent company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), will equal the image sharpness of DigitalGlobe’s current 30-centimeter product.

Israel Seeks To Strengthen Space Ties with Japan
Israel aims to strengthen trade ties with Japan in space research and cybersecurity, among other sectors, under an investment plan the Israeli cabinet approved Jan. 4.
Israeli Startup Talks to Insurers about Saving Europe’s Stranded Galileo Satellites
EFS said its DeOrbiter could salvage the European Galileo satellites in a useless orbit after a failure of a Europeanized Soyuz rocket’s Fregat upper stage.

News from the Farnborough International Airshow | Growth Prospects Limited for Israeli Satellite Builder
IAI risks having its space business growth stunted by a domestic government whose demand is too small to permit expansion, and whose industrial strategy likely would not permit an outright sale of the space division.

Hispasat Shareholder Makes Play for Israeli Satellite Fleet Operator
Spacecom’s major shareholder has made no secret of its desire to monetize its investment.

Israeli Rocket Launches Radar Reconnaissance Satellite
Israel conducted its first domestic satellite launch in four years.

El Al Israel Airlines To Offer ViaSat in-air Broadband Service
El Al Israel Airlines will outfit its Boeing 737 aircraft to provide in-flight satellite broadband using ViaSat’s Exede in the Air service.

Vega To Launch Two Israeli-built Earth observing Craft
Two Israeli-built satellites — one a high-resolution optical reconnaissance spacecraft for the Italian military — will be launched together in early 2016 aboard a European Vega rocket.