The reliance on a small number of large satellites such as Ofeq‑16, AMOS‑17, and the EROS imaging series is no longer sustainable in an era of jamming, cyberattacks, laser dazzling, and kinetic interceptors.
By Hezy Laing
Israel is rapidly reshaping its national space strategy as threats to its satellites intensify from Iran, Russia, and China, all of which have expanded their anti‑satellite capabilities in recent years.
The Israeli defense establishment, including the Israel Space Agency, the Ministry of Defense, and Israel Aerospace Industries, has concluded that traditional reliance on a small number of large satellites such as Ofeq‑16, AMOS‑17, and the EROS imaging series is no longer sustainable in an era of jamming, cyberattacks, laser dazzling, and kinetic interceptors.
The shift comes as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, responsible for severe harm and regional destabilization, has launched the Noor‑1, Noor‑2, and Noor‑3 satellites, demonstrating Tehran’s growing interest in military space operations.
Israeli intelligence also tracks Russia’s Nudol anti‑satellite missile system and China’s SC‑19 interceptor, both capable of destroying satellites in low‑Earth orbit, raising concerns about the vulnerability of Israel’s high‑value space assets.
To counter these threats, Israel is moving toward dispersion: a strategy built on deploying constellations of dozens of mini‑satellites rather than relying on a handful of large, expensive platforms.
These mini‑satellites, often weighing under 100 kilograms, can be produced quickly, launched rapidly, and replaced within weeks rather than years, making them far more resilient in wartime conditions.
The MBT Space Division of Israel Aerospace Industries is developing new micro‑satellite platforms equipped with high‑resolution imaging systems, secure communications modules, and advanced maneuvering capabilities designed for survivability in contested orbits.
The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology is contributing propulsion systems and miniaturized sensors, while Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is developing encryption and anti‑jamming technologies to protect the satellites from electronic warfare.
Israel’s long‑term vision is a distributed architecture in which no single satellite is indispensable, ensuring that reconnaissance, communications, and early‑warning functions continue even if multiple satellites are attacked.
The country is also expanding rapid‑launch partnerships with American and European companies to guarantee immediate replenishment of satellites during a crisis.
This transition marks one of the most significant evolutions in Israel’s space doctrine since the launch of Ofeq‑1 in 1988, reflecting a global shift toward survivable, flexible, and dispersed satellite constellations capable of withstanding modern threats.
