Elbit Systems will develop a space telescope for the Weizmann Institute of Science as part of the "Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite" program for deep space observation and research.
The Ultrasat Space Telescope will be the first of the State of Israel and will orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km from Earth.
The Weizmann Institute notes that its field of view will be wider than that of other space telescopes, and the volume of space accessible to a telescope will be 300 times greater than that of the most powerful ultraviolet telescope to date.
The length of the Elbit space telescope will be 170 cm and weigh 125 kg.
The Ultrasat program is jointly managed and funded by the Israel Space Agency and the Weizmann Institute of Science and is carried out in collaboration with the German research center DESY.
The contract will be executed over a period of two years, with the development cost being about $ 16 million.
It is the development, production and integration of a high-sensitivity ultraviolet space telescope with a wide field of view (200 square degrees), which is designed to help scientists understand the formation of heavy elements, black holes and gravitational waves and to detect astronomical phenomena such as supernovae.
The development of the telescope is based on Elbit's many years of international experience in the development of space technologies, including space cameras of the Horizon satellite, various satellites in the world, development of small satellites, thermal technologies for NASA Mars vehicles and more. Elbit has been providing space cameras, satellites and components Additional electronic products for space programs in Israel, the United States, Europe, South Korea and Brazil.
Oren Sabag, CEO of Elbit, stated: “We are proud to take part in this scientific project and put our capabilities and experience to support the effort to better understand nature.
We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Israel Space Agency and the scientific community, led by the Weizmann Institute of Science and the German Research Center DESY. "
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