Israel Launches Dror-1, a Geostationary Communication Satellite, into Space
Science and Technology
In July 2025, Israel launched its advanced next-generation communication satellite Dror-1 into orbit to boost national telecommunication infrastructure. Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with the Israeli Space Agency, the satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, using a Falcon 9 two-stage rocket by SpaceX.
- Dror-1 was placed into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), located around 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator. The launch marked SpaceX's 528th overall mission and 88th launch of 2025, and also the 503rd flight of the Falcon 9 rocket. This makes Dror-1 a significant milestone in Israel’s expanding space capabilities.
- Weighing approximately 4.5 tonnes (4,500 kg), Dror-1 was carried aboard a mission termed Commercial GTO-1, which had a wingspan of 17.8 meters and featured 2.8-meter-long antennas for wide coverage.
- The satellite is expected to operate for 15 years, catering to the country’s long-term secure communication needs.
Main Point :- (i) Dror-1 is built using indigenous digital systems, geolocation technologies, and flexible reprogrammable payloads, making it a highly advanced satellite for both military and civilian use. It uses cutting-edge signal processing technology that ensures reduced dependence on foreign technologies. It can also be reprogrammed from Earth during its entire lifespan.
(ii) An estimated USD 200 million has been invested in this mission since 2018, making it one of Israel’s most ambitious space communication projects.
(iii) Dror-1 will serve national interests until at least 2040, and enable secure, high-capacity data transmission across different sectors, including defense and public services.
About Israel
Prime Minister (PM): Benjamin Netanyahu
Capital: Jerusalem
____________________________
