Israel launches Dror-1 satellite: SpaceXFalcon 9 powers mission; digital payload

In News : Israel Launches Dror-1 Satellite 

• Date & Launch Site: Launched on 13th July 2025 from SpaceX facility, Florida.
• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9(two-stage rocket).
  • Booster completed its 13th flight and successfully landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic.
  • Second stage placed satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
  • Mission code named “Commercial GTO 1” (new naming convention).

About Dror-1 Satellite

• Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• Weight: 4.5 tons
• Span: 17.8 meters
• Equipped with largest transmission & reception antennas ever built in Israel.
• First in new line replacing the AMOS series.
• Designed to meet Israel’s communication needs for 15 years.
• Features:
  • Digital communication payload
  • “Smartphone in space” features → agile & adaptable communications.
  • Built almost entirely with Israeli technologies.

Significance

• Marks a major milestone in Israel’s space capabilities.
• Boosts self-reliance in satellite technology.
• Demonstrates local resource development & deployment of advanced space assets.
• Part of Israel’s broader strategic & communication infrastructure modernization.

SpaceX Context

• This was SpaceX’s 519th launch overall, and 85th of 2025.
  
  Updated: Jul 13, 2025, 16:52 IST | TOI