Israel is a leader in the development of the next generation of spy satellites - the microsatellite. Its weight is about 50 kg and it will be launched from a fighter plane. Also - a radar that works in any weather
Aryeh Agozi, YNET, Yedioth Ahronoth
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Israel is a space power. The world's space scientists are a little surprised by this.
The Israeli spy satellite "Ofek 5", which was launched into space a little over a year ago, worries the Arab countries. The quality of its photography allows tracking of the smallest details. In recent times, attention has been focused mainly on Iran, but close monitoring of what is happening in other countries continues as well.
When a country like Iran simultaneously develops a long-range missile capability and a nuclear capability in Israel, they want to know as much as possible and get raw information not through the United States. "Ofek 5" transmits to the ground station in Lod high quality photographs of Iranian activity in the "relevant" fields. The satellite is not built to photograph the entire territory of Iran continuously, so the photographs can only be used to monitor the movement of forces.
The members of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, who visited the "Mabat" plant of the Aerospace Industry this week, were told about Israel's future space plans. Some of them are secret, but it is clear that Israel wants to send some spy satellites into space.
Israel entered the field of space utilization late, but it turns out that this gives it a great advantage. After launching several satellites for communication and intelligence purposes, Israel is engaged in the development of the next generation.
The hit - micro satellites
The aerospace industry, which put Israel into space, skipped several steps and turned directly to small satellites. Such are the spy satellites of the "Ofek" model and the civilian photography satellites of the "Eros" series. Both types notice on the ground objects about a meter and a half in size. At the "Al-Oup" company in Rehovot, which manufactures the cameras for satellites, cameras are currently being developed that will detect objects smaller than a meter.
Israeli academia also joined the effort. At the Institute for Space Research of the Technion, led by Prof. Moshe Gelman, they deal with the current hit - micro satellites, which weigh no more than 50 kg compared to the "Ofek", which weighs about 250 kg. All over the world they show interest. The Israeli Air Force is also examining the operational need for them. This is a kind of "satellite for every commander". Today, preparations for launching a satellite take many days at best. The idea is that tiny satellites will be stored at air force bases, and they can be launched into space immediately.
For this purpose, "Raphael" offered a modified model of its "Black Encore" target missile, which was developed for the Arrow test. The idea is to equip it with a more powerful engine, attach a micro-satellite to its nose and launch it from an AP-15 aircraft, flying at a high altitude. This combination should make the tiny satellites a tool for commanders in the field like the patrol helicopter or the drone.
"The microsatellites will allow Israel to launch satellites to the east, like the rest of the world, and above all to save the launcher," says Prof. Gelman. The Israeli satellites of the "Ofek" series are forced to be launched from the launch site in Palmahim towards the west instead of towards the east, as is customary. A desire not to endanger a civilian population in the event of a launch malfunction, and the Arab countries bordering Israel in the east, create this difficult constraint.
The improved radar
Photography satellites can operate during the day and in good visibility conditions. Night, fog, clouds or sandstorms blind the cameras. To solve the problem, Israel is considering equipping one of its future spy satellites with a radar with a synthetic key (MMS).
Such a system is the hottest thing in the field of radars in the world. No longer a radar that locates a target and displays it as a bright spot on the round screen, but a radar that "photographs" the target in all weather and visibility conditions. The state-of-the-art radar has computer-based capabilities, which turn the returns into a synthetic image that is very similar to an aerial photograph.
At "Alta", a subsidiary of the Aerospace Industry in Ashdod, they have developed some of the best GPS systems in the world, some of which are designed to be installed in spy satellites. The potential of the system actually points to a revolution.
A country that develops spy and communication satellites as well as launchers is an honorary member of a very limited club. Not every country in the world, even among Israel's friendly ones, sees this friendship favorably.
Yidan Israel in space
In the book "The Crash" by Avi Blizovsky and Yefa Shir-Raz there is a chapter on Israel's history as a space power
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