On Monday (November 20, 2017) at UN headquarters in New York, Israel and France celebrated their joint collaboration in space to promote key UN environmental development goals. At an event entitled “Satellite Technology for Sustainable Development” the two countries highlighted the contributions of the Venus satellite to climate and environmental research.
The Venus satellite is one of many significant contributions to global development that have resulted from Israeli-French cooperation. The event took place as a part of Israeli efforts to advance an Israeli resolution on the development of agricultural technologies which will be presented to the General Assembly later this month.
Venus is a micro satellite that was developed jointly by the Israel Space Agency (ISA) at the Israel Ministry of Science and Technology and the French CNES space agency (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and supplied by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The satellite was Orbited into space by a Vega launcher from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) on the evening of August 1st- 2nd, 2017.
The satellite monitors earth’s climate and agricultural landscape from space, using a multi-spectral camera that can capture important details that are invisible to the human eye. Venus’s camera simultaneously captures 12 images from the same location and then processes these images to create one very precise color photograph. The satellite monitors 100 of the earth’s main and natural crop systems, which will be observed every two days for the next two and a half years.
By analyzing and comparing images captured by Venus, researchers will be able to assess the state of soil, understand how vegetation in a specific area is developing, and detect the spread of disease or contamination in a given field. Venus’s advanced camera and unprecedented precision will allow the satellite to collect revolutionary new levels of information on agriculture, biodiversity, water, and vegetation, and to identify trends to prevent climate change, pollution, and hunger.
Monday’s event, which was attended by diplomats from all over the world and featured experts from the Israeli and French Space agencies, highlighted Venus’s potential for agricultural development. Images captured by Venus were on display at the event, including a special exhibition that included satellite images of natural areas in different countries. Israeli and French scientists discussed satellite activity and the contribution that Venus has made to climate and environmental research and to meeting key UN development goals. Google and the United Nations Agricultural and Food Agency participated in the event and presented a joint project, which aims to expand the accessibility of land mapping and to identify climate change from the air.
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon referred to the role of Israeli technologies in tackling serious environmental challenges around the globe. "We are proud to present the best of Israeli technologies and its contribution to the world and to advance these important issues. Israel is one of the leading countries in the field of technology worldwide and we are happy to share our knowledge with other countries and international bodies.”
Israel, which has vast experience in both space aviation and agriculture will continue to use its knowledge and research to promote sustainable environmental practices around the world and to create a healthier and more prosperous future for all.
Information courtesy of Israel Space Agency at the Ministry of Science and Technology.