EROS A
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Satellite imagery, Earth observation |
| Headquarters | Limassol , Cyprus |
The Earth Remote Observation System-A (also known as EROS-A or EROS-A1) represented the first satellite in Israel's commercial Earth observation satellite lineup, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This satellite was owned and operated by ImageSat International N.V. (ISI), a company based in Limassol, Cyprus, and legally registered in the Netherlands Antilles. Its deployment signified Israel’s initial venture into the commercial Earth imaging sector.
Launch
On 5 December 2000 at 12:32 UTC, EROS A was launched from Svobodny Cosmodrome, specifically from Launch Complex-5 located in eastern Siberia.
Satellite description
At launch, the satellite weighed 260 kg and measured 1.2 meters across with a height of 2.3 meters. Its structural design drew heavily from the military reconnaissance satellite Ofeq-3, which was also manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for governmental use.
Control systems
For attitude control, EROS A employed three-axis stabilization supported by four reaction wheel actuators. It also utilized horizon sensors, Sun sensors, gyroscopes, and a magnetometer to accurately determine its orientation.
Ground communication systems
Communication capabilities included a high-speed 70 Mbit/s imagery downlink, alongside a 15 kbit/s downlink dedicated to maintenance data, and a 15 kbit/s uplink for command transmissions.
Mission
The satellite’s orbit had it crossing the equator at approximately 10:00 am local time. Subsequent satellites were intended to have varied crossing times to optimize image acquisition under differing cloud cover conditions. EROS A primarily served agricultural planners and engineers requiring high-resolution imagery but also catered to diverse other sectors. It provided commercial images with an optical resolution reaching up to 1.8 meters, with potential enhancement to 1.2 meters. Clients were allowed temporary control over the satellite’s focus on specific areas to protect privacy; however, this capability was restricted over Israeli territory by government mandate.
The inaugural client was the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which invested around $15 million for exclusive imaging rights covering Israel and an adjacent area spanning 2,000 kilometers. This contract emerged following the unsuccessful Ofek-4 launch and the orbital decay of Ofek-3. Additional customers included Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, India, and various media outlets that obtained battlefield imagery during the Afghan conflict—images that competitors such as "Space Imaging," owner of Ikonos, were prohibited by U.S. authorities from distributing. Furthermore, a worldwide archive of satellite images was created to provide on-demand access for businesses.
On 24 April 2012, EROS A raised its orbit for the final time before eventually reentering Earth’s atmosphere on 7 July 2016.