Space Research in Israel
Philately Day
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Issue: December 1996 Designer: G. Sagi Size: 40mm x 25.7mm Plate #: 298 Sheet of 15 stamps Tabs: 5 Printers: E. Lewin-Epstein Ltd. Printing Method: offset |
even nations have successfully built and launched their own space satellites. Israel joined the exclusive club on September 19th, 1988, when the Shavit three-stage launch vehicle sent the satellite Ofeq-1 (the Hebrew
for 'Horizon') into orbit. Although space research in Israel has academic
roots dating back to the 1960s, it was only in 1983 that the Israel established its Space Agency (ISA), operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Science. Both the satellite and the rocket were products of lsrael's advanced commercial research and development space program.
Fast becoming a major player in the commercial space arena, Israel is working both on national and international projects. A year after Ofeq-1, Israel successfully launched another satellite, Ofeq-2. In April, 1995 Israel leapt forward again with the launch of Ofeq-3, which carried an advanced electro-optical payload. Barely a month after that, in May 1995, a French vehicle successfully launched the Amos satellite.
Israel's prestigious research and teaching institute, the Technion, developed and built the microsatellite TechSAT. Loaded with advanced systems and weighing only 50kg, TechSAT typifies the direction of Israel's space program: state-of-the-art microsystems packed into compact light-weight space vehicles. Research in these areas is carried out in most of Israel's institutes of higher learning, and is supported by the Ministry of Science.
TAUVEX (Tel-Aviv University Ultra Violet Explorer), another ISA project, is a cluster of three ultraviolet telescopes to be launched in 1997 by Russia as part of an international space observatory.
As Israel's scientific community makes its presence felt in other areas of research -- such as the solar system and earth studies, with special emphasis on desertification, agriculture and the efficient use of water resources -- the country is already recognized as a sought-after partner in the international, civilian and commercial space arena.
This year's Philately Day stamp is dedicated to Space Research in Israel.
Israel Space Agency
Ministry of Science
