Israel’s Elbit Systems Launches Advanced JUPITER Space Camera on NAOS Satellite via SpaceX Falcon 9.
Science and Technology
In August 2025, Israeli defence company Elbit Systems Limited successfully launched its advanced JUPITER space camera aboard the National Advanced Optical System (NAOS) satellite. The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This milestone boosts Earth observation capabilities with high-resolution, multispectral imaging for military, environmental, and scientific applications.
- The NAOS satellite, manufactured by OHB Italia S.p.A., is operated under Luxembourg’s LUXEOSys (Luxembourg Earth Observation System) program. It is specifically designed for dual-use purposes, serving both governmental and military needs, and operates in a 450 km sun-synchronous orbit with a planned mission life of seven years.
- The JUPITER camera, developed by Elbit Systems, integrates expertise in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and Electronic Warfare (EW).
- It is regarded as one of the world’s most advanced spaceborne optical cameras, offering unmatched precision in Earth observation technology.
Main Point :- (i) In terms of imaging design, the camera features a large aperture, lightweight structure, and continuous long-image strip capture, enabling high-efficiency wide-area coverage. Its multispectral imaging capabilities include Panchromatic (black-and-white imaging with fine spatial detail), RGB (Red, Green, Blue true-color imaging), and Near-Infrared (NIR channel) for analyzing vegetation health, water content, and material properties.
(ii) The system supports AI-based image processing, making it compatible with ground station platforms for defence, civilian, and research applications. Elbit Systems has also developed algorithms for automated change detection, object classification, and fusion of multispectral imagery, enhancing situational awareness.
(iii) Globally, the NAOS-JUPITER integration strengthens strategic collaborations across civil, defence, and security domains. Its applications range from border surveillance, arms treaty verification, and troop monitoring to disaster relief, environmental crisis management, and climate change studies. It will also support organizations such as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and international research institutions with high-resolution Earth data.
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