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World News 
IAI's EROS B Commercial Israel's Satellite Successfully Launched From the Cosmodrome in Svobodni, Siberia in Russia ImageSat International (ISI) announced on April 25, 2006, that an EROS B commercial observation satellite, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) was successfully launched from the Cosmodrome located in Svobodni, Siberia, Russia. The satellite was sent into orbit by the Russian Start-1 launcher. The launch took place on April 26, 2006, 02:47 hours Siberia time and the satellite separated from the Start-1 rocket as planned. Communications with the EROS B satellite were established, also as planned, within 13 minutes after launch. A few days are required to verify that all the satellite sub-systems are operating according to predetermined specifications. The satellite will be operated and control by a team of engineers and technicians from the main ground control station located at IAI MBT Space Division facilities. EROS B is a lightweight commercial satellite which will deliver very high resolution imagery based on advanced technology in both photographic and data processing capabilities. Its low weight (290kg) ensures maximum agility and stability for optimum imaging quality. EROS B can observe the earth and transfer the data to a ground station in either real time or accumulate the data and relay it to the ground at a chosen time. The satellite will pass a ground control station for 10 minutes, four times a day, twice in daytime and twice in nighttime. EROS B, like its predecessor EROS A, build by IAI's MBT Space Division, is expected to provide service for a period of eight to ten years. EROS A, also operated by ImageSat International, was successfully sent into orbit by a Russian Start-1 launcher in December, 2000. ImageSat International's shareholders include Israel Aircraft Industries, Elbit/ElOp Electro Optics Industries and international investors. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)'s Systems Missiles and Space Group initiates, designs, develops and delivers a variety of solutions, systems and products in the area of Missile Systems, Space and Information Technology.
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IAI's MBT Space specializes in the design, production, testing, total
tracking and control of satellites for remote sensing and communication
purposes. The Division is leading all Israeli operations in space and as
such acts as prime contractor for all national and civilian Space
Programs in Israel. The MBT Space Division produces light, high
resolution Low Earth Orbit (LEO) optical and radar observation
satellites, as well as small and medium Geostationary (GEO)
communication satellites. The Division also houses, under single roof,
Ground Stations for its observation and communication satellites. Iran leader issues warning to US
Photo: Ayatollah Khamenei says Iran will not heed US threats. US interests around the world will be harmed if America launches an attack against Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said. "The Iranian nation will respond to any blow with double the intensity," he added, in comments reported on TV. Iran has been reported to the UN Security Council, amid Western fears Iran is seeking atomic weapons. The UN is seeking a diplomatic solution but the US has not ruled out military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Addressing workers in Tehran on International Laborers' Day, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would not heed US "threats and intimidation". "The Iranian nation and its officials are peace-seekers and the Islamic republic would not invade anybody," he added. The Security Council demanded on 29 March that Iran comply with the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a "full and sustained suspension" of its uranium enrichment work.
Vice-President Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, accompanied by deputy Mohammed Saidi and Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, made no comment as they entered IAEA headquarters in Vienna. No details of the meeting have been released as yet. The US is trying to rally support from the Security Council for tougher action against Iran, including sanctions - a move currently being resisted by Russia and China. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes only. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that Iran's "enemies" would not be able to use the Security Council and the IAEA to punish Iran. "The illegitimate and right-nullifying decision could not get legitimacy under cover of council and the agency," he said, according to a state TV broadcast.
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