Israel Aerospace Industries’ EROS-C3 satellite was launched on December 30, 2022, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch-vehicle, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.

The EROS-C3 is one of the most advanced observation satellites in the world, thanks to pioneering technologies which enable very high-resolution images and for the first time using multi spectral camera. After launch, the satellite entered its planned orbit around the Earth and began transmitting data to the ground station. Engineers at Israel Aerospace Industries have begun a series of preplanned calibrations and tests to validate the satellite’s performance, and complete the preplan test prior to full operation soon.

Chairman of IAI’s Board of Directors, Amir Peretz said, “The men and women of Israel Aerospace Industries, and their managers, have yet again shown that, for them, the sky is not the limit. The launch of the EROS-C3 satellite is further proof of the company’s technological leadership as a true pathbreaker in space as in other arenas. Israel’s space program rests on an impressive array of technologies developed by IAI in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, academia, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. The outputs from the satellite launched today, and the important findings that it will transmit to the ground station, will assist IAI in continuing to improve its advanced capabilities in these areas.”

Speaking on the occasion, Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO said, “Today’s launch of the EROS-C3 satellite is a further expression of the advanced technological capabilities of Israel Aerospace Industries, the space house of the State of Israel. After much work on the satellite, during which time the best brains of the men and women of IAI worked on its development and production, the satellite has begun transmitting data to the ground station. Israel Aerospace Industries cooperates with government bodies, academic institutions, NGOs, and investors from both Israel and abroad, to advance technological achievements, scientific research,and the development of future space technologies.”

The EROS-C3 satellite is a significant part of the OPTSAT 3000 series of observation satellites, developed and produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The satellite's high-quality imagery capabilities make it a true pioneer in the area of observation satellites. A lightweight space camera developed and produced by Elbit Systems is mounted in the satellite, capable of providing very-high-resolution imagery for both governmental and business applications and missions.