SpaceX successfully launched an Israeli imaging Earth satellite into space overnight between Thursday and Friday.
It was the 61st and final launch of the year for U.S.-based spacecraft engineering corporation headed by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The launch of the EROS C-3 satellite mission on a Falcon 9 rocket took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The advanced observation satellite from Israel-based remote sensing company ImageSat International (ISI) will be used for military intelligence and security purposes and is considered another major step forward for Israel's place in the global space industry.
ISI is the largest space company in Israel, operating a constellation of high resolution satellites providing accurate imaging worldwide.
"We provide satellite imagery to customers around the world — some are commercial customers, and others are defense customers — we provide these services worldwide to various applications, from disaster management to agriculture and real estate," Ehud Hayun, senior director for satellite and ground systems at ISI, told i24NEWS.
Israeli technology was also onboard the first integrated test of NASA’s Orion spacecraft called the Artemis I mission, according to the Israel Space Agency. The Artemis 1 launch took place on November 18.
The Artemis 1 crew consists of mannequins named Zohar and Helga. Zohar is wearing an AstroRad radiation protection vest developed by the Israeli company StemRad. The vest is meant to protect astronauts from harmful radiation and cosmic rays in space.
“We are honored to be one of the very few countries that have managed to introduce original technology for Artemis I. The fact that the Israeli flag will wave on top of Zohar’s suit in space fills us with pride,” the Israel Space Agency said.
Reprinted with permission from i24NEWS