SpaceX Launches Suspected Israeli Communications Satellite in Early Morning Mission
SpaceX Launches Suspected Israeli Communications Satellite in Early Morning Mission
SpaceX successfully launched a satellite early Sunday morning, July 13, from Florida’s Space Coast. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:04 a.m. EDT, carrying a payload SpaceX designated “Commercial GTO-1.” While the company did not officially identify the satellite, it is widely believed to be Dror-1, a crucial Israeli communications satellite developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Dror-1 is designed to meet Israel’s satellite communication needs for the next 15 years, featuring advanced local Israeli technologies, including a digital communication payload and “smartphone in space” capabilities. The mission saw the Falcon 9’s first stage, booster B1083, execute a successful landing on the drone ship “Just Read the Instructions” in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, marking its 13th flight and recovery.
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