Israel's new national communications satellite, "Dror-1," was successfully launched into space on Sunday morning, the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced. Designed to meet Israel's national communication needs, the Israeli-made satellite lifted off at 8 a.m. local time from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Weighing 4.5 tons and with an 18-meter wingspan, Dror-1 separated from its launcher approximately 40 minutes after liftoff and began independently orbiting in space. The satellite is expected to reach its final geostationary orbit, 36,000 kilometers above the equator, within about two weeks following a series of in-space maneuvers.
Dror-1 was developed and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries to ensure the country's industrial and technological independence in this strategically vital sector. Its geostationary position will allow for continuous and flexible communication coverage for various government systems.
Following the launch, IAI stated, "As Israel's national space house, Israel Aerospace Industries has led the nation's space program since the 1980s, when the first observation satellite, Ofek-1, was launched. Since then, IAI has developed, produced, and launched additional communications and observation satellites for national, civilian, and scientific missions both in Israel and abroad."
