Israel successfully launched its new communication satellite, Dror-1, into space early Sunday morning. The launch took place from a SpaceX facility in Florida, using a Falcon 9 rocket developed by Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.
The satellite, built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is very large, weighing 4.5 tons and measuring 17.8 meters. It carries Israel’s biggest-ever antennas for sending and receiving signals.
Dror-1 is part of a new generation of satellites that will replace the older Amos series. It’s designed to handle all of Israel’s communication needs for the next 15 years.
#BREAKING: Israel has launched its first national communications satellite, Dror-1, aboard a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Built by Israel Aerospace Industries, Dror-1 will deliver secure satellite communications, including for defense, for the next 15 years.pic.twitter.com/AhPr53zWER
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) July 13, 2025
What makes Dror-1 special is that it’s one of the most advanced communication satellites in the world. It has a digital payload, and its technology is so smart it’s being called a “smartphone in space.” Most of its parts and technology were made in Israel.
The Falcon 9 rocket that launched Dror-1 had two stages. The first stage, which had flown 12 times before, successfully landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean after launching the satellite. The second stage continued to send Dror-1 into a special path called geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). This path will help the satellite reach a fixed position in the sky.
Read more: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Undergo 7-Day Rehab After Return to Earth
This mission was called “Commercial GTO 1” by SpaceX — a name they haven’t used before. It was SpaceX’s 519th launch overall, and 85th in 2025.
Over the next two weeks, Dror-1 will open its solar panels and antennas and move into its final position. IAI called this a major achievement for Israel, showing that the country can build and launch advanced satellites mostly using its own technology and resources.
