ISA, the Israeli Industry and Academy are all involved in different stages of research, development, construction, launching and operating in a series of programs. This page contains information regarding the Israeli Space Industry.
The main contractor of the "Ofek", "Eros" space programs is the IAI Mabat factory in Yahud. The Mabat facility includes the Experiment and IntegrationCenter as well as the ground monitoring and control stations and the remote satellites receiving stations.
Many of the high-tech companies are involved in the various space programs in Israel, and in manufacturing sub-systems and components.
The IAI Electronics Group
The IAI Electronics Group is one of the best of the electronic systems manufacturer for security and space systems.
The group was also the main contractor for the assembling of the Ofek, Amos and Eros Satellites, and provides a wide range of products, such as: preliminary planning, detailed planning, program execution, and full logistic support.
The group includes four factories:
These factories, with all their various abilities and technologies, are active for years in developing and manufacturing products and systems in the field of space systems development especially for military purposes, even though on recently years they have entered the international civilian space industry scene, with the assistance of ISA.
Thanks to the substantial resources invested in these factories and the skilled manpower, the Electronics can plan, develop and manufacture space platform and mounted subsystem. The group is ready to provide satellite systems with top performance, using the Turnkey method.
IAI - Mabat
Mabat's Space Technologies Administration was chosen by ISA to be the main contractor for Israel's national space programs. This administration includes, in one framework, all the engineering capabilities required for developing and constructing satellites, including full integration and performance tests. In addition, the administration also provides operational capabilities including surveillance, control and monitoring station, as well as multi-satellite ground stations for remote sensing.
The Space Technologies Administration in the Mabat factory is responsible for developing and manufacturing satellites in IAI (Until today, all satellites developed and constructed by Israel were developed in the Mabat factory, excluding the Technion's TECHSAT satellite.)
The Administration also operates satellite receiving stations, from where it can controls the Ofek, Amos and Eros satellites.
In addition, a RIMS (Ranging and Integrity Monitoring Station) ground station will be constructed, as a part of the satellite-based navigational array constructed by the ESA.
IAI – Malam
Malam is one of the four factories in the IAI Electronics Group. The factory is very experienced in development, assembling, testing and operating system for use in space.
The Malam factory has developed the "Shavit" launcher which allows low-cost and high-reliability launch of micro/mini satellites to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The development of the "Shavit" began on 1983 and its operational capabilities were proven on three successful launches of the Ofek satellites on September 19th, 1988, April 3rd, 1990 and April 5th , 1995.
The "Shavit" is a triple-stage launcher. The first and second stage engines are manufactured by Ta'as, and use solid fuel. The third stage engines are manufactured by Raphael. Recently, Malam is trying to insert the Shavit launcher and more advanced models of the launcher to the international space industry market.
Raphael (Hebrew abbreviation for Weapon Systems Development Authority)
Raphael's propulsion department is the propulsion systems supplier for Israel's space projects. Raphael was chosen to develop, test and manufacture the advanced engine for the "Shavit" launcher's third stage engines, and the engines used for the navigation of the "Ofek" satellites into orbit.
Raphael's contribution for Israel's space activity is manifested in development and manufacture of the third stage engine of the "Shavit" satellite launcher, a solid fuel engine made from titanium. This engine is considered one of the most advanced technology in the world.
The second significant contribution is the small hydrazine engines which are used for precise navigation procedure in the "Shavit" launcher, and the various satellites.
Raphael, with the direct and indirect assistance of ISA, was integrated in the international space industry market, in several projects like SLOSHSAT and other small French satellite projects.
El-op Electro-optic Industries
El-op's developments include one of the best space cameras in the world, integrated in the "Ofek" and "ERDS" satellites.
Along with scientists from the University of Tel-Aviv, El-op has developed a space telescope for sub-violet spectrum range – the TAUVEX), which is suppose to be launched on a Russian satellite, as part of a international astronomy observations program.
Other activities include the development of the miniature horizon cameras for micro and mini satellites. The Technion's satellite, Gurwin-2-TechSAT is equipped with a El-Op low-resolution camera.
El-op has also developed, with ISA direct and indirect support, a multi-spectral camera, which could capture a 12-colored image in a 5-meter resolution, for commercial purposes.
El-op is currently taking a part in the development of the TAUVEX satellite.