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 instructional outreach. “The Tevel 2 venture symbolizes the top of Israeli innovation, mixed with scientific and technological schooling. That is an particularly emotional second for me – to see younger individuals from all sectors of Israeli society working collectively, reworking a dream into actuality, and making historical past in area. What these proficient college students have achieved is nothing wanting wonderful – 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 expertise – it’s an funding in you, the following era of Israeli area scientists and engineers.”
The Tevel 2 program is a groundbreaking fusion of scientific exploration and social progress. With a finances of 10.5 million NIS offered by the Israel Area Company, the venture brings collectively various segments of Israeli society. It gives equal entry to science and expertise schooling whereas pursuing scientific objectives.
Beneath the supervision of Tel Aviv College’s School of Engineering, highschool college students from 9 municipalities constructed the satellites in specialised clear rooms. These municipalities symbolize 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 group (Yarka).
Brigadier Basic (Res.) Uri Oron, Director Basic of the Israel Area Company, famous the initiative’s broader significance: “The Tevel 2 venture is a testomony to the facility of Israeli innovation. We see right here a successful mixture of scientific excellence, technological schooling, and societal integration. These satellites won’t solely present essential scientific knowledge; they may even function an inspiration for the following era of Israeli area scientists.”
The constellation’s major scientific goal is to measure cosmic radiation in area. 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, corresponding to supernova explosions. Whereas life on Earth is comparatively shielded from this radiation by the planet’s magnetic discipline and environment, astronauts in area and digital programs on satellites are uncovered to this doubtlessly dangerous radiation.”
Launched as a compact group, the nanosatellites will step by step unfold alongside their orbital path, enabling them to chart a high-resolution map of cosmic radiation throughout the globe. Moreover, they’ll examine radiation’s influence on onboard electronics. College students will analyze this knowledge with help from Tel Aviv College researchers and the Soreq Nuclear Analysis Middle, which provided the radiation sensors.
A key characteristic of the venture is its deal with inclusivity and academic fairness. The collaborating 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 by means of R and D facilities established of their municipalities. These facilities, full with clear room services, 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 schooling in Israel’s peripheral areas is a central goal of Tevel 2. The venture 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 by means of focused instructional initiatives.
Past scientific objectives, the venture 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 group. The area’s college students, key contributors to this venture, have been displaced from their houses for months.
The satellites are anticipated to stay operational in orbit for roughly three years, offering important scientific knowledge and serving as enduring symbols of instructional achievement and nationwide unity.
Associated Hyperlinks
Tel-Aviv College
Microsat Information and Nanosat Information at SpaceMart.com