Israel's reconnaissance satellite releases 1st photos

TEL AVIV — Israel's new Eros satellite has made available sample photographs from the reconnaissance facility.

Executives said the imagery was released as the Eros A-1 satellite has completed the first phase of in-orbit testing with all systems and sub-systems equaling or exceeding anticipated performance specifications. The satellite project is being administered by ImageSat International.

The 250 kilogram-Eros was manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, which owns 30 percent of ImageSat.

Executives said that over the next six weeks ImageSat will continue the integration and testing of its worldwide ground systems, including interactive testing between the space and ground segments. Full commercial operation is expected in March.

"We have received a very positive response to the imagery from highly experienced partners and customers in the remote sensing industry," ImageSat chief executive officer Jacob Weiss said. "We have already begun receiving a substantial number of requests for orders, which is a validation of the market need for high-resolution imagery."

Executives said the Eros-A1 has proven its capability to acquire specific earth images. The satellite can relay a high resolution image of either 1.8 or one meter.

The ImageSat's images released show the South Korean capital of Seoul, Brest, France and Izmir Turkey. The images can be viewed on the ISI website, at http://www.imagesatinternational.com/