Latest news with #Dror-1
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
"Smartphone In Space": All About Dror-1, Israel's 'Next Gen' Satellite
Israel has launched its first fully government-funded and domestically built communications satellite, Dror-1, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch, carried out on Sunday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is a turning point for Israel's space program. Dror-1 is the most advanced satellite ever developed by Israel. What Is Dror-1? Dror-1 is a geostationary satellite, meaning it orbits at a fixed position approximately 36,000 km above the Earth's equator, maintaining constant coverage over a specific geographic area, as per YNet News. Weighing around 4.5 tonnes (4,500 kg) and measuring 17.8 metres across, Dror-1 is expected to serve Israel's communication needs for the next 15 years, extending its utility into the late 2030s. The project has cost Israel an estimated Rs 1,670 crore since work began in 2018. Features Of Dror-1 Advanced Digital Payload: Includes cutting-edge signal processing technologies. "Space Smartphone" Technology: Enables flexible, software-defined communication capabilities, allowing the satellite to adapt to changing demands during its operational life. Built 100 per cent In Israel: Developed with entirely local technologies to reduce reliance on foreign components or vendors. How Israel's Dror-1 Satellite Works Israel's Dror-1 is a next-generation communications satellite designed for long-term national use, and it operates using a combination of advanced digital systems, geostationary positioning, and flexible reprogrammable payloads. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Dror-1 was inserted into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Within hours of launch, it sent back its first signals. Over the next few weeks, it will use onboard propulsion systems to manoeuvre into its final geostationary orbit, around 36,000 km above Earth, where it will remain fixed over a specific region. This orbit allows Dror-1 to maintain constant communication coverage over Israel and surrounding areas. What makes Dror-1 special is its "smartphone in space" design, meaning it can be reprogrammed from the ground during its 15-year life. It can change communication settings, coverage areas, and signal use based on need. Dror-1 is Israel's first state-owned communications satellite. Until now, Israel's communication satellites, like the Amos series, were built by IAI but owned and operated by the private company Spacecom. That model suffered a major setback in 2016, when Amos-6 was destroyed on the launchpad in a SpaceX explosion. In 2018, the government adopted a long-term national strategy for communications satellites, focusing on domestic production, sovereign control, and strategic independence.
UPI
3 days ago
- Science
- UPI
SpaceX launches highly secret Israeli communications satellite
1 of 3 | A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the "Commercial GTO-1" payload at 1:04 AM from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on Sunday. The payload contained the Israel Aerospace Industries' "Dror-1" communications satellite. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo July 13 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early Sunday carrying an Israel Aerospace Industries communications satellite, a payload that had been kept largely secret until liftoff. "We at IAI are extremely proud of the development and successful launch into space of the State of Israel's 'Dror 1' national communications satellite, Boaz Levy, CEO and President of IAI said in a statement. "Dror 1 is the most advanced communications satellite ever built in Israel, designed to preserve this national strategic capability in the country while providing Israel with essential satellite communications capabilities for years to come." The satellite, which weighs 4.5 tons and spans nearly 60 feet in diameter when its solar panels are fully deployed, is scheduled to reach its fixed point destination over Earth in about two weeks. SpaceX has only been involved in a handful of such secret missions. This was the 13th mission for the stage one 9 booster rocket that sent the Falcon 9 into low-Earth orbit. About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the rocket landed on the droneship "Just Read the Instructions," which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. It was the 128th time the droneship has been used to retrieve a returning craft, and was the 474th SpaceX booster rocket landing overall.
Roya News
3 days ago
- Science
- Roya News
'Israel' launches 'most advanced' satellite from Florida by SpaceX
'Israel' has successfully launched its new national communications satellite, Dror-1, from Elon Musk's SpaceX launch facility at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The advanced satellite, developed by 'Israel' Aerospace Industries (IAI), lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early Sunday morning, ensuring its communication needs are met for the next 15 years. The Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 40. SpaceX, which designated the mission "Commercial GTO 1" – a naming convention not previously used by the company – successfully landed the Falcon 9's first-stage booster on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Dror-1, weighing 4.5 tons and spanning 17.8 meters, is designed as the technological successor to 'Israel's' Amos satellite series. It incorporates the largest transmission and reception antennas ever built in 'Israel' and is touted by IAI as one of the most advanced communication satellites globally, built almost entirely with "blue-and-white" ('Israeli'-made) technology. In the coming days, Dror-1 will unfurl its solar panels and antennas before beginning a two-week process of maneuvering into its final geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Israel launches Dror-1 satellite: SpaceX Falcon 9 powers mission; digital payload onboard
Dror-1 satellite launched (Image credits: Israel War Room) Israel's new national communications satellite, Dror-1, was successfully launched into space early Sunday morning from Elon Musk 's SpaceX launch facility in Florida. The Dror-1 satellite, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), weighs 4.5 tons, spans 17.8 meters, and is equipped with the largest transmission and reception antennas ever built in Israel, according to Israel National News. It is the first in a new line of satellites that will replace the older Amos series, and is designed to fully meet Israel's communication needs for the next 15 years. According to IAI, Dror-1 is among the most advanced communication satellites in the world, built almost entirely with Israeli-made technologies. It includes a digital communication payload and 'smartphone in space' features that allow for agile and adaptable communication throughout its operational life, as per Sat News. The satellite was carried into orbit on SpaceX Falcon 9 two-stage rocket. The booster, making its 13th flight, successfully returned to Earth, landing on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, avoiding a sonic boom over Florida. The second stage continued to push the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), a path that will allow Dror-1 to reach a fixed position relative to Earth. SpaceX referred to the launch as 'Commercial GTO 1,' a naming convention it has not previously used. This mission marks SpaceX's 519th launch overall, and its 85th of 2025. In the coming days, Dror-1 will open its solar panels and antennas and begin maneuvering into its final geostationary orbit, a process expected to take about two weeks. IAI described the mission as a milestone for Israel's space capabilities, demonstrating its ability to develop and deploy cutting-edge satellite technology using mostly local resources.
UPI
6 days ago
- Science
- UPI
SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 with Israeli communications satellite
July 10 (UPI) -- SpaceX will launch a new type of mission from Cape Canaveral, Fla., carrying an Israeli communications satellite. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for launch at 12:31 a.m. July 13 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, according to Florida Today. SpaceX calls the mission "Commercial GTO 1." The company hasn't used that term before in a mission name. GTO usually means geostationary transfer orbit, an elliptical orbit used to send a payload to geostationary orbit. That means the satellite will orbit with Earth but will look stationary. This flight will deliver the Dror-1, a geostationary communications satellite by Israel Aerospace Industries that's designed to meet the satellite communication needs of Israel for the next 15 years. Dror-1 uses mostly local Israeli technologies developed at IAI. The rocket's booster will land on a SpaceX drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, so no sonic boom is expected along Florida's Space Coast. This will be SpaceX's 519th mission, and its 85th of 2025. It's Falcon 9's 503rd mission.
