EROS B Commercial Satellite Transmits First Photos
May 1, 2006
Itzhak Nissan, President & CEO of Israel Aircraft Industries: "The short period of time taken to manufacture the satellite and its high quality photos are an unprecedented technological achievement"
The EROS (Earth Resources Observation Satellite) B commercial observation satellite, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI('s MBT Space Division, which was successfully launched from Siberia, Russia on April 25, 2006, transmitted its first photos on April 28, 2006.
The photos received at IAI's ground control station were sharp and clear. "This is an unprecedented technological achievement for IAI. In a tight schedule of 21 months, we have managed to successfully launch an observation satellite providing high quality photos," said Mr. Itzhak Nissan, IAI's President & CEO.
EROS B is a lightweight commercial satellite operated by ImageSat International, which delivers very high resolution imagery and is based on advanced technology in both photographic and data processing capabilities. Its low weight (290kg) ensures maximum agility and stability for optimum imaging quality. EROS B can observe the earth and transfer the data to a ground station in either real time or accumulate the data and relay it to the ground at a chosen time. The satellite passes above a ground control station four times a day, twice in daytime and twice in nighttime, for 10 minutes each time. Like its predecessor EROS A, built by IAI's MBT Space Division, EROS B is expected to provide service for a period of eight to ten years. EROS A, also operated by ImageSat International, was successfully launched into orbit by a Russian Start-1 launcher in December 2000.
For further information, please contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corporate Vice President for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@iai.co.il
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