[FPSPACE] the future of Israel's space programme

[Keith Gottschalk]

       Until 2007 Israel was the only space player that had to launch
westwards into orbit. so suffering a 5 - 10% payload penalty.

      But in January 2008 India launched a military reconnaissance
satellite for Israel, called TecSAR, with synthetic apature radar. In
April 2008 Sea Launch sent 1.3 tonne Amos 3 comsat into GSO. Presumably
this is also for military communications, but could well become dual
purpose with some civil radio too.

    With such space diplomatic breakthroughs, presumably Israel will
never again launch a satellite from Palmachim AFB or anywhere else in
Israel itself? 

     From now on it can launch heavier payloads eastwards via its
allies. And of course it does not have to develop a cluster of three of
its Shavit 28 ton rockets together for bigger payloads when, it can
contract Zenit & PSLV or a GSLV to launch  far heavier payloads.

Keith
-------------- next part --------------
All Email originating from UWC is covered by disclaimer 
http://www.uwc.ac.za/portal/public/portal_services/disclaimer.htm