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The launch is successful, but the future of satellites is foggy Israel today

2020-07-07T22:32:37.886Z


| SecurityThe success of launching "Horizon 16" may seem natural, but it is not - it is a product of hard work • But alongside the satisfaction, the system has a concern for retaining the ability • Interpretation The Corona crisis has pushed satellite launch Horizon 16 ahead of the agenda, but make no mistake: it is a significant achievement for the defense establishment and the scientific-technological co...


The success of launching "Horizon 16" may seem natural, but it is not - it is a product of hard work • But alongside the satisfaction, the system has a concern for retaining the ability • Interpretation

The Corona crisis has pushed satellite launch Horizon 16 ahead of the agenda, but make no mistake: it is a significant achievement for the defense establishment and the scientific-technological community in Israel.

Satellite launch "Horizon 16" yesterday // Photo: Ministry of Defense spokeswoman and information

This is not the first time that Israel has launched satellite into space, but it should be noted that yesterday's launch was particularly successful. Everything was going exactly as planned: The Air Force launching field in Palmach was properly prepared, the launcher (from the "Shavit" series, which according to foreign publications aimed at launching ballistic missiles) functioned smoothly, and the satellite went into orbit - all data indicates its full function.

In the coming days, Horizon 16 is expected to deliver first shots from space, and then it will also be announced as an operator and join the Israeli satellite family, which now includes five optical satellites and two radar satellites. And parallel - to track movements and changes that are being made.

Like its predecessor Horizon 11, the new satellite is also equipped with a powerful camera, capable of transmitting very high-resolution images. This satellite series ("Challenge C") is considered to be very successful and extremely impressive, but it marks the current generation of satellites, and also the part of the aerospace industry as their sole manufacturer in Israel. The next generation of spy satellites will be smaller (weighing about 50kg instead of about 350kg today) and will be built by Raphael.

The successful launch may seem natural to those who are not in the field, but it is far from such. From launching west so as not to rely on a foreign factor and meeting the predetermined schedule, through the endless potential of malfunction, to the perfect result at the end - all of them indicate that there is little capacity in space powers in the world. Iran, for example, which only recently boasted a successful launch of its satellite, has not yet shown pictures it has taken, and it is unclear how satellite it has been functioning, if at all.

Documentation of the Horizon Horizon 1 launch satellite // Courtesy of Ministry of Defense spokesmen

But alongside the satisfaction of the successful launch, it was hard not to hear yesterday's concerns about the security system and the security industries. In the absence of a multi-year plan for the IDF and a matching budget, and under the Corona crisis, the future of Israeli satellites is also in danger. Rivals in the area.

A horizon is also needed on the ground

Anyone who wants to maintain strategic supremacy in the volatile Middle East must set a horizon not only in the sky but also on the ground: a horizon for the project, a horizon for the security industries and a horizon for workers. These enlisted at the height of the Corona crisis to complete the Horizon 16 project and enable its successful launch today, but now they - and all industries - need stability and a secure future. From past experience, this investment will pay three times: creating jobs, exporting Israeli technologies and security products to the world, and ensuring the existence of the State of Israel.

Source: israelhayom

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