Amos 6 might save Israel’s space industry

8 September, 2016

The explosion of Amos 6 shows how easily the fragile space industry can be lost. But the explosion might bring Israeli government to its senses, making clear just how important this industry is

The explosion of Amos 6 shows how easily the fragile space industry can be lost. But the explosion might bring Israeli government to its senses, making clear just how important this industry is

Amos 6 in flames. source:USLaunchReport
Amos 6 in flames. source:USLaunchReport

Israel’s minster of science Ofir Akunis called an emergency meeting following the explosion of Israeli satellite Amos 6. The emergency meeting teaches us, how shocked were Israeli officials and space industry leaders following the explosion at SpaceX’s Launchpad. Only a week ago, Spacecom announced it will be acquired by a Chinese communication corporation for the mere sum of $135 million (the full price was $285 million, but Spacecom has $158 million in its coffers).

Though the sale of Spacecom to a Chinese company is less dramatic than a blast on the Launchpad – the sale should has caused no less panic amongst the advocators of an independent Israeli space Industry, as it would decimate this industry. Amos 6 was the only communication satellite ordered in Israel in the last few years. The explosion in the US could now endanger the sale, as a successful launch of Amos 6 was part of the terms for the acquisition.

The explosion of the satellite forces Israeli government to tend to the needs of the local space industry, and to decide if to encourage it in a substantial way.  Although a plan to encourage the industry was devised in the past, the considerable sums promised to the space industry never came through. The small sums which do reach the industry are not enough to maintain a viable, consequent space program. It is quite evident that Israel’s space program is not yet treated as an industry of strategic importance.

An unplanned success story

Israel’s space industry was actually forced upon it – when the peace agreement with Egypt was signed in 1979, the Israeli Ministry if Defense asked for the means to check if Egypt is holding to its part of the agreement. One Israel understood that the US is not going to supply it with satellite image, the country reluctantly moved to develop its first satellite, Ofek 1, launched in 1988. Form an almost incidental beginning grew a substantial industry of military and civilian importance.

But the glorious days of this industry seem to be behind it. The now destroyed Amos 6 was the only civilian satellite ordered in Israel in recent years, and the only current civilian project run by this industry – French Israeli venture Venus – is based on antiquated military technology over a decade old.

The panic following the explosion last week could turn into a blessing. The minister of science asked a team of experts to devise a long term Israeli space policy. A good plan, together with real steps toward the establishment of a viable Israeli space industry might resuscitate Israel’s ailing space industry.

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