Israel Aerospace Industries’ EROS-C3 observation satellite was launched 30 December, 2022, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch-vehicle, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. The EROS-C3 is one of the most advanced observation satellites in the world, thanks to pioneering technologies which enable very high-resolution images and for the first time using multi spectral camera. After launch, the satellite entered its planned orbit around the Earth and began transmitting data to the ground station. Engineers at Israel Aerospace Industries have begun a series of preplanned calibrations and tests to validate the satellite’s performance, and complete the preplan test prior to full operation soon. The EROS-C3 satellite is a significant part of the OPTSAT3000 series of observation satellites, developed and produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The satellite’s high-quality imagery capabilities make it a true pioneer in the area of observation satellites. A lightweight space camera developed and produced by Elbit Systems is mounted in the satellite, capable of providing very-high-resolution imagery for both governmental and business applications and missions.
Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO: “Today’s launch of the EROS-C3 satellite is a further expression of the advanced technological capabilities of Israel Aerospace Industries, the space house of the State of Israel. After much work on the satellite, during which time the best brains of the men and women of IAI worked on its development and production, the satellite has begun transmitting data to the ground station. Israel Aerospace Industries cooperates with government bodies, academic institutions, NGOs, and investors from both Israel and abroad, to advance technological achievements, scientific research, and the development of future space technologies.”
Chairman of IAI’s Board of Directors, Amir Peretz: “The men and women of Israel Aerospace Industries, and their managers, have yet again shown that, for them, the sky is not the limit. The launch of the EROS-C3 satellite is further proof of the company’s technological leadership as a true path breaker in space as in other arenas. Israel’s space program rests on an impressive array of technologies developed by IAI in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, academia, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. The outputs from the satellite launched today, and the important findings that it will transmit to the ground station, will assist IAI in continuing to improve its advanced capabilities in these areas.”
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial and astronautic systems for both military and civilian usage. IAI is completely state-owned by the government of Israel. IAI is Israel’s largest defense technology concern, and is a national knowledge-center and world-leader in both the development and production of advanced systems in the fields of space, aviation, land, and sea use, and cyber, for both the military-defense and civilian markets. The company is also a national center of expertise in the fields of missiles, radars, satellites, unmanned vehicles, civilian aviation and cyber. IAI’s Systems Missiles and Space Group is responsible for the development and manufacture of a variety of air-defense systems, including the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 weapons systems, Barak 8, loitering munitions, and many missile systems, advanced satellite systems including observation and communications satellites, nano-satellites, satellite launchers, the Dror national satellite communication system, and the Beresheet spacecraft with its truly innovative mission to the moon.
