This is not just a technological achievement, but a strategic step towards complete independence in the field of space communication. Until this moment, Israel leased resources from foreign commercial operators. Now the country has its own satellite, fully developed and built on Israeli soil, — and, importantly, a communication system under its own control.

The device weighs 4.5 tons, and its solar panels span 18 meters. It will be located in geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers — this will ensure stable communication with the designated coverage area. The satellite’s service life is estimated at 15 years.

The development was led by the state-owned company “Israel Aerospace Industries” (IAI), and almost all technologies, including the advanced digital payload, are Israeli. IAI’s CEO Boaz Levi called the satellite a “smartphone in space” — so flexible and modern is its architecture.

One of the impulses for the project’s realization were the lessons learned during the recent 12-day war with Iran. At that time, the IDF used drones and other platforms up to 2,000 kilometers from Israel’s borders — but there was a sharp lack of stable communication. “Dror-1” is intended to fill this gap.

From “Ofek” to “Dror”

Israel’s space program started in 1988 with the launch of the “Ofek-1” satellite, making Israel the eighth country in the world capable of independently launching satellites into orbit. Since then, the country has developed a powerful system of observation and reconnaissance satellites, but the communication segment remained dependent on external players. “Dror-1” changes this.

This is not only about security. It’s about independence, technology, and belief in our own strength. The Israeli flag in space is not news. But now, next to it, there is our own satellite and space communication system.