Constellation of student-built satellites launched into orbit from California
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
A record-setting constellation of 9 nanosatellites, developed by Israeli highschool college students, has been efficiently launched into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Area Power Base in California. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Know-how alongside Tel Aviv College and 9 native municipalities, the mission marks the most important satellite tv for pc formation ever deployed by Israel. Every nanosatellite, measuring simply 10+ 10+ 11.3 cm, now orbits Earth at an altitude of 500 kilometers aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Gila Gamliel, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Know-how, described the Tevel 2 initiative as a landmark achievement mixing nationwide innovation with academic outreach. “The Tevel 2 undertaking symbolizes the head of Israeli innovation, mixed with scientific and technological training. That is an particularly emotional second for me – to see younger individuals from all sectors of Israeli society working collectively, remodeling a dream into actuality, and making historical past in house. What these gifted college students have completed is nothing wanting superb – they’ve constructed the most important Israeli satellite tv for pc constellation ever launched! I’m particularly pleased with the first-ever Druze satellite tv for pc and the transferring memorial mission of the Sha’ar HaNegev satellite tv for pc. Our substantial funding on this initiative isn’t just an funding in know-how – it’s an funding in you, the subsequent era of Israeli house scientists and engineers.”
The Tevel 2 program is a groundbreaking fusion of scientific exploration and social progress. With a funds of 10.5 million NIS offered by the Israel Area Company, the undertaking brings collectively various segments of Israeli society. It gives equal entry to science and know-how training whereas pursuing scientific objectives.
Beneath the supervision of Tel Aviv College’s College of Engineering, highschool college students from 9 municipalities constructed the satellites in specialised clear rooms. These municipalities signify a cross-section of Israel’s demographic panorama, together with 5 Jewish communities (Yeruham, Sha’ar HaNegev, Ma’ale Adumim, Givat Shmuel, and Herzliya), three Arab communities (Ein Mahil, Tayibe, and Kafr Qara), and one Druze neighborhood (Yarka).
Brigadier Basic (Res.) Uri Oron, Director Basic of the Israel Area Company, famous the initiative’s broader significance: “The Tevel 2 undertaking is a testomony to the facility of Israeli innovation. We see right here a successful mixture of scientific excellence, technological training, and societal integration. These satellites is not going to solely present essential scientific knowledge; they will even function an inspiration for the subsequent era of Israeli house scientists.”
The constellation’s main scientific goal is to measure cosmic radiation in house. Prof. Meir Ariel, Head of the Area Engineering Middle at Tel Aviv College, elaborated: “The satellite tv for pc constellation is designed to measure cosmic radiation in orbit. Cosmic radiation consists of high-energy particles (primarily protons) originating from the Solar, and occasions within the deep universe, equivalent to supernova explosions. Whereas life on Earth is comparatively shielded from this radiation by the planet’s magnetic area and ambiance, astronauts in house and digital methods on satellites are uncovered to this probably dangerous radiation.”
Launched as a compact group, the nanosatellites will steadily unfold alongside their orbital path, enabling them to chart a high-resolution map of cosmic radiation throughout the globe. Moreover, they are going to examine radiation’s impression on onboard electronics. College students will analyze this knowledge with assist from Tel Aviv College researchers and the Soreq Nuclear Analysis Middle, which provided the radiation sensors.
A key function of the undertaking is its concentrate on inclusivity and academic fairness. The taking part college students, who started this system in tenth grade and are actually in twelfth grade, obtained hands-on expertise in satellite tv for pc growth via R and D facilities established of their municipalities. These facilities, full with clear room amenities, have been complemented by satellite tv for pc communication stations in Herzliya, Yeruham, Givat Shmuel, and Sha’ar HaNegev, all linked to Tel Aviv College for knowledge relay and satellite tv for pc management.
Selling STEM training in Israel’s peripheral areas is a central goal of Tevel 2. The undertaking empowers college students from underrepresented areas to have interaction in high-level scientific analysis and contribute meaningfully to a nationwide endeavor. It displays the shared dedication of the Ministry of Innovation, the Israel Area Company, and Tel Aviv College to cut back social disparities via focused academic initiatives.
Past scientific objectives, the undertaking incorporates a solemn tribute. The Sha’ar HaNegev satellite tv for pc will transmit the names of Israeli civilians and troopers who died between October 7, 2023, and December 2024. These names can be constantly broadcast and displayed on the Israel Area Company’s web site. This tribute holds particular resonance as Sha’ar HaNegev endured heavy losses within the October 7 assaults, together with the dying of Mayor Ophir Libstein whereas defending his neighborhood. The area’s college students, key contributors to this undertaking, have been displaced from their properties for months.
The satellites are anticipated to stay operational in orbit for roughly three years, offering vital scientific knowledge and serving as enduring symbols of academic achievement and nationwide unity.
Associated Hyperlinks
Tel-Aviv College
Microsat Information and Nanosat Information at SpaceMart.com