Space expert tells ‘Post’: Amos-7 possible in two years.
The Israeli government must finally lay out a clearly defined national space policy, based on the understanding that dependence on foreign infrastructure for Internet, television and phone communications represents a significant vulnerability, a senior space expert told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
Speaking in the aftermath of the destruction of the Amos- 6 communications satellite, which was lost when SpaceX’s Falcon-9 launch rocket exploded on the launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday, Tal Inbar, head of the Research Center at the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies in Herzliya, said it is time to create a civil space policy.
“I expect the Israeli government – the prime minister – to decide that, for the first time, we will have a policy,” he said.
The government could decide to end Israeli manufacturing of satellites, and purchase abroad, or to begin placing orders with Israeli manufacturers to keep the civilian space program alive.
The Science, Technology and Space Ministry held an emergency meeting on Sunday with the heads of the space industries in Israel to work at preserving their “huge technological advantages.”
“The Israeli space industry is outstanding, and it will remain outstanding,” said Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis. “We will make sure to strengthen it and preserve its status and abilities.”
Senior industry officials said they invest huge amounts of money in infrastructure, manpower and innovative technologies, but a long-term policy and state assistance are needed because there is much competition abroad.
The government could decide to end Israeli manufacturing of satellites, and purchase abroad, or to begin placing orders with Israeli manufacturers to keep the civilian space program alive.
The Science, Technology and Space Ministry held an emergency meeting on Sunday with the heads of the space industries in Israel to work at preserving their “huge technological advantages.”
“The Israeli space industry is outstanding, and it will remain outstanding,” said Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis. “We will make sure to strengthen it and preserve its status and abilities.”
Senior industry officials said they invest huge amounts of money in infrastructure, manpower and innovative technologies, but a long-term policy and state assistance are needed because there is much competition abroad.
As reported by The Jerusalem Post