Israel's national communications satellite enters orbit in space

JERUSALEM, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israel's first national satellite for communications entered its final orbit in space at 36,000 km above Earth and has begun its operational mission, according to separate statements issued by the state-run company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) on Monday.

The satellite, named Dror-1, has already sent telemetry from space, confirming that its solar panels and communication antennas were deployed and its main engine activated, placing it precisely in its intended orbit.

Dror-1, developed and built by the IAI, was successfully launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex in the U.S. state of Florida on July 13, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

It weighs roughly 4.5 tonnes, spans 17.8 meters across, and is equipped with a 2.8-meter-diameter antenna, the largest ever built for an Israeli communications satellite.

The satellite was built to serve Israel's communication needs for the next 15 years, handling both everyday operations and emergencies, while also supporting defense missions.

According to the ISA, the project, with an investment of 200 million U.S. dollars, represents a major move toward communication independence, reducing Israel's reliance on private companies.

To further this goal, Israel plans to launch nine additional satellites of the same kind in the coming years. ■