Israel launches Dror-1 satellite: SpaceX Falcon 9 powers mission; digital payload onboard – Times of India

Israel’s new national communications satellite, Dror-1, was successfully launched into space early Sunday morning from Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch facility in Florida.The Dror-1 satellite, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), weighs 4.5 tons, spans 17.8 meters, and is equipped with the largest transmission and reception antennas ever built in Israel, according to Israel National News.It is the first in a new line of satellites that will replace the older Amos series, and is designed to fully meet Israel’s communication needs for the next 15 years.According to IAI, Dror-1 is among the most advanced communication satellites in the world, built almost entirely with Israeli-made technologies. It includes a digital communication payload and “smartphone in space” features that allow for agile and adaptable communication throughout its operational life, as per Sat News.The satellite was carried into orbit on SpaceX Falcon 9 two-stage rocket. The booster, making its 13th flight, successfully returned to Earth, landing on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, avoiding a sonic boom over Florida. The second stage continued to push the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), a path that will allow Dror-1 to reach a fixed position relative to Earth.SpaceX referred to the launch as “Commercial GTO 1,” a naming convention it has not previously used. This mission marks SpaceX’s 519th launch overall, and its 85th of 2025.In the coming days, Dror-1 will open its solar panels and antennas and begin maneuvering into its final geostationary orbit, a process expected to take about two weeks.IAI described the mission as a milestone for Israel’s space capabilities, demonstrating its ability to develop and deploy cutting-edge satellite technology using mostly local resources.