Flash! Archive
June 2002
May 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
November 2001
October 2001
September 2001
August 2001
July 2001
June 2001
May 2001
April 2001
March 2001
February 2001
January 2001
December 2000
November 2000
October 2000
September 2000
August 2000
July 2000
June 2000
May 2000

Start-1 Launches EROS A1 From Svobodny for ImageSat

More Information:

A Start-1 successfully launched EROS A1 from Svobodny Comsodrome at 1232 UTC on December 5. The satellite will fly in a 480 km (259 nmi), circular, sun synchronous orbit at 97.33 degrees. The satellite separated as planned from the START-1 launcher 15 minutes after launch ignition. Communication with the satellite was established immediately at the Company's polar ground station in Kiruna, Sweden after separation from the Launcher, and then again 90 minutes later at completion of its first orbit. The EROS A1 satellite will be commissioned for commercial use in the coming weeks following completion of in orbit testing. EROS A1 is the first launch for an 8 satellite constellation, which will be owned and operated by ImageSat International, N.V.

The 240 kg (539 lbm) satellite was built by Israel Aircraft Industries. The EROS A satellites are expected to have at least a 4 year life. When six satellites are in space, imaging will be possible at least once a day for any specific site within the coverage area of a Ground Receiving Station, and eight satellites will allow revisitation more than twice daily.

ImageSat was established in 1997 by Israel Aircraft industries (IAI), Electro-Optical Industries (ELOP) and Core Software Technology (CST).

SPACEandTECH Digest is a weekly roundup of the latest industry news of interest to the space professional. SPACEandTECH Flash! is an internet push service offered by Andrews Space & Technology to bring the latest on orders, launches, and important breaking news to your desktop. SPACEandTECH Digest and SPACEandTECH Flash! are part of the Andrews Space & Technology www.spaceandtech.com website, a website designed to serve the information needs of the space industry.

If you would like to subscribe to the SPACEandTECH Flash! (currently a free service), contact the www.spaceandtech.com Editor-in-Chief, Joe Hopkins, at editor@spaceandtech.com

December 5, 2000