The German OHB company, which in recent years has launched a number
of civilian satellites into space, is exploring the possibility of
launching into space its most newly developed "David" satellite, by
means of the Israeli "Shavit" launcher".
The Shavit launcher, developed by the Israel Aircraft Industries
(IAI), the Military Industries and Rafael, is competing in Germany
against Russian launchers, capable of launching small, low trajectory
satellites into space. The Israeli launcher reportedly stands a good
chance in Germany, as having achieved, to the present, complete success
in all launches performed by it.
The Shavit put into space the Ofek 1, Ofek 2 and Ofek 3 satellites.
The chances of parallel US satellites are not so good in Germany, since
they were only recently developed and suffered a number of launch
failures in recent months.
It was also reported to Globes that the El-Op company has been
chosen for developing the technological system due to be installed in
the David satellite. The system will include a telescopic camera,
means of processing for the data collected and means of transmission to
earth.
A senior source at the Israel Space Agency (ISA) told Globes that
El-0p's agreement with the German company is an important rung on the
ladder of Israeli efforts to penetrate the space arena in Europe and
the international market. Israel has agreements with France and Germany
in this field, and the volume of participation of Israeli industries in
the space operations of those countries will be multiplied several
times over in the next few years.
The contract for the development of the telescopic camera system was
signed between El-Op and OHB, which in recent years successfully
launched into space and operated the Sapphire and Bremsat satellites,
designated for civilian missions. The satellites weigh less than 100
kgs. The space division manager at the German company is an Israeli,
Amnon Ginati, who helped with the mediation and the contractual
engagement between Israel and Germany.
ISA headed by Avi Har Even, is assisting El-Op to finance a
feasibility study relevant to the development of the telescopic camera
and the technology package for the satellite. The camera will have a
resolution capability of 5 - 8 metres, enabling highly detailed
pictures to be obtained.
The camera, which will be fitted into the David satellite, is based
on a technology developed for a scientific project of the Ministry of
Science, in the form of a scientific telescope slated for use in 8
European states.
The David satellite will serve for civilian missions only, including
remote sensing and tracking of marine and oceanic pollution; fuel and
oil spills; follow-up of agricultural crops, tracking of the migration
paths of flocks of birds and schools of fish. The satellite will also be
fitted with means of communication enabling it to transmit data on the
movements of freighters and container vessels in various parts of the
world.