Israel's most-advanced communications satellite successfully launched into space

Israel’s Dror-1 communications satellite has been successfully launched into space from Cape Canaveral.

The Israel Aerospace Industries satellite was taken into orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 two-stage rocket. The first stage of the booster, which has now been used 13 times, landed back on earth on a platform at sea.

The second stage is currently pushing the satellite into space, and in a short while, the payload canopy will open.

The satellite will then open up its solar panels and dishes, and begin to maneuver into its permanent position. It should take some two weeks to reach the permanent position, after several orbits around earth.