21st May 2021 - 14:54 GMT | by Arie Egozi in Tel Aviv
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Lift-off for Ofek 16 — but do smaller satellites have more potential? (Photo: IAI)
IAI is exploring the potential of nanosatellites and microsatellites to deliver persistent overhead surveillance of threat areas.
Approved organisations from various allied countries will be able to obtain relevant data from the same constellations of nanosatellites and microsatellites by using ground stations with different ‘access keys’.
This is one of the advanced options being evaluated by the Space Division in Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Systems Missiles & Space.
A nano or microsatellite constellation must comprise a considerable number of platforms to generate immediate tactical intelligence, said Shlomi Sudri, IAI Space Division GM. ‘The world is moving towards what is called “New Space” – constellations of nano and microsatellites. These constellations will enable many revisits of areas of interest.’