Innovative Israel

By Justine Hemmestad

In 2025, Israel is charting a course driven by strategic autonomy and national defense, while Iowa is contributing through academic leadership and scientific research. 

Israel has continued to strengthen its presence in orbit through cutting-edge satellite technology and a growing private sector. 

Avi Berger, head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense Space Program, emphasized the capabilities of the newly launched Ofek-19 satellite, describing it as “one of the most advanced satellites in the world.” According to Berger, Ofek-19 can produce detailed images even in poor weather or complete darkness, thanks to its radar payloads that emit microwaves and radiation, generating synthetic images from the data received. Its high resolution allows Israeli intelligence forces to monitor terrain and activity continuously, regardless of time or weather conditions.

Israel is one of the few nations with the ability to launch satellites independently. Their space sector now includes more than 110 active companies, with several startups gaining notice. 

One such company is Helios, which is developing technology to extract oxygen from lunar soil, an essential step toward long-term lunar habitation. 

Another is Ramon.Space, which is building supercomputers engineered to function in harsh space environments. To further fuel this innovation, the Israeli government has announced a ₪40 million (approximately $11 million) investment to create a national laboratory focused on space technology research and development. This facility will enable startups to test, validate, and refine their space-bound technologies.

Several distinct Israeli missions are helping define the country’s space trajectory in 2025. On July 13, Israel launched Dror-1, a 4.5-ton communications satellite, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Designed to operate in geostationary orbit around 36,000 kilometers above Earth, Dror-1 will provide Israel with secure and independent communications capabilities for decades to come. 

Alongside this, the Ofek-19 reconnaissance satellite stands out for its use of both synthetic aperture radar and electro-optical imaging. From its orbit at 600 kilometers, it delivers highly detailed images with an approximate resolution of 50 centimeters, functioning in all weather and lighting conditions to support around-the-clock intelligence gathering.

In a demonstration of grassroots engagement, March 2025 saw the launch of Israel’s largest educational satellite initiative to date. The Tevel 2 project placed nine nanosatellites into orbit, all of which were designed and built entirely by high school students. 

These small satellites collect data on cosmic radiation and serve to spark interest in STEM education at an early age. 

In addition to these domestic missions, Israel is expanding its scientific footprint through international partnerships. 

A joint mission with NASA and the Weizmann Institute, known as ULTRASAT, is scheduled for launch in 2026 and will observe transient cosmic events using ultraviolet imaging. 

Another collaborative effort, the SHALOM hyperspectral Earth observation satellite developed with Italy, is set to become operational in 2025.

While Israel advances through national investment and strategic autonomy, Iowa’s contributions to space are via academic strength and long-standing collaboration with NASA. Both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University have become leaders in space research, developing scientific instruments, mentoring students, and contributing to global knowledge about the space environment.

One of Iowa’s most significant achievements in 2025 is the TRACERS mission, which launched on July 23. Led by the University of Iowa, the Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites study how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere—critical knowledge for predicting space weather that could affect satellites and power grids on Earth. The TRACERS mission represents the largest external research award in U of I history, totaling between $165 million and $171 million. It continues the legacy of the late Craig Kletzing, a prominent physicist, and is now led by principal investigator David M. Miles.

Iowa’s commitment to student involvement in space science remains strong. 

During the summer of 2025, the Edge of Space Academy provided undergraduate students with the opportunity to design and test payloads for aerial platforms. 

The program offers students real-world experience in space mission planning and execution and is expected to continue into 2026. 

Supporting this work, the University of Iowa received a $1.5 million grant from NASA in 2024 to grow its advanced instrument fabrication facilities. 

Combined with nearly $10 million in additional seed funding, these investments support the development of instruments used in Earth and atmospheric sciences, building on a tradition that dates back to the launch of Explorer 1 in 1958.

Iowa State University also plays a central role in space-related education and research. 

Its Cardinal Space Laboratory provides students with hands-on experience in designing CubeSats and managing mission operations, while its Space Systems and Controls Lab supports student capstone projects and real-world testing of space hardware. 

ISU alumnus and former NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson remains a key advocate for space education in the state, working to inspire the next generation of explorers.

When looking at Israel and Iowa’s contributions to space in 2025, side by side, clear distinctions emerge. 

Israel focuses on national satellite infrastructure and defense-oriented missions, with strong government backing and growing private sector participation. 

Iowa concentrates on university-led research, substantial NASA funding, and a commitment to student training and workforce development. 

Both are heavily invested in education, whether through high school-led satellite programs in Israel or undergraduate payload design academies in Iowa.

Israel and Iowa both reflect the shifting landscape of space exploration. 

Together, they illustrate that access to space relies on vision, investment, and ingenuity, whether propelled by a defense ministry or a university lab.

NASA

Israel and Iowa are both looking skyward.