The death of the first Israeli astronaut to be included in a US space mission, Col. Ilan Ramon, will not cause Israel’s space program to collapse. Israel’s aerospace community stresses that the real Israeli space program involves the development, manufacture, and operation of devices in outer space. The launching of the first Israeli astronaut was simply an addition, albeit an important one.
Starting in the 1960s Israel posted several significant milestones in space research and equipment used there. The first Israeli satellite was launched in that decade, using an Israeli-developed satellite launcher the Shavit. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Rafael (Israel Armament Development Authority), and Israel Military Industries jointly developed the Shavit, later used to launch four Ofek Israeli military satellites. This launcher is likely to become a commercial success on the global market, barring a severe reaction by its US competitors, who have prevented this from happening in the past by claiming that it was a civilian version of a ballistic missile.
The Israeli aerospace community includes hundreds of researchers and professionals in the field, as well as dozens of defense industries dealing in research and manufacturing. IAI has developed several types of satellites, including the Amos communications satellites, the Ofek military satellites, and the Eros series of commercial surveillance satellites. The first of four Eros satellites, already launched, has taken the place of the Ofek 4, which exploded shortly after its launch from Israel.
Ramon was the first Israeli astronaut, but probably won’t be the last. Israel wants to launch another astronaut, and it could happen in cooperation with China. Israel also plans to expand its commercial satellite operations. An initial indication of this was the agreement to supply Hong Kong with 10 civilian satellites. Even though this contract was cancelled, following budget problems in Hong Kong and China, which were supposed to raise the money, IAI will try to market its satellites mostly in the Far East.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on February 2, 2003