The Goal: Manned Missions into Deep Space

Construction has officially begun on the spaceship that will achieve America's goal of returning astronauts to the Moon – and beyond.

Morocco Seeks Space Edge over Algeria and Spain

Morocco launched its first reconnaissance satellite (the Mohammed 6-A) on November 7, 2017. The satellite was launched into low Earth orbit on an Arianespace Vega rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. It is piloted from an operating center near the capital of Rabat.

ST Engineering to Invest $20M in Joint Venture with SatixFy

ST Electronics, the electronics arms of Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engineering), has signed an agreement with SatixFy UK, a subsidiary of the Israeli-based SatixFy Ltd., to invest in a joint venture company (JVCo). ST Electronics' planned investment of $20m is for a 49% stake in the JVCo, with the remaining 51% to be held by SatixFy UK.

Elbit Deploys Third Integrated Fixed Tower in the US

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accepted the latest Integrated Fixed Tower (IFT) border security system deployed by Elbit Systems of America. This IFT system, located in the Sonoita, Arizona, Area of Responsibility (AoR), marks the company’s third successful deployment of the system. Other previous deployments of IFT accepted by CBP were for the Douglas and Nogales, Arizona AoRs.

Orbit to Supply Aeronautical Telemetry System to an Asian Country

Orbit Communications Systems, a provider of precision tracking-based communications solutions and airborne communications management systems, announced that an Asian Ministry of Defense ordered an aeronautical telemetry system for approximately $5 million.

The turnkey solution – including a 5-meter S-band antenna and full ground station with total data chain capabilities – will be used for test range applications. Delivery of the high-precision system is expected in 2019.

Report: Israel Attacked Facility near Damascus

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Israeli aircraft targeted a research facility near Damascus on Wednesday morning. Syria accuses Israel of supporting local opposition forces. According to the report, the Syrian air defense "intercepted the missiles and destroyed most of them."

Israeli Companies at the Center of Attention at Singapore Airshow 2018

Singapore Airshow 2018, held this week at the Changi Exhibition Centre, brought together tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. As in previous years, Israel has significant representation at the event.

Frontex will Test Heron UAV for Maritime Surveillance

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will conduct remotely piloted aircraft system tests for long-term aerial surveillance of maritime areas, according to Ouest France (contract notice: 390536-2017).

Iran Begins Mass Production of Mohajer-6 Combat UAV

Iran has launched a production line for its most recent unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UAV) Mohajer-6 during a ceremony on February 5, according to trend.az. The newest addition to the Mohajer UAV family is equipped with a new homegrown smart bomb dubbed "Ghaem," Iranian media outlets reported.

The Ghaem smart bomb, which was unveiled for the first time during the ceremony, is capable of destroying mobile and fixed targets.