Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Report: Israel Aims to Boost Space Presence

   VOA News 13 August 2010

   Israel's  government  is  set  to approve a plan that aims to turn the
   country into a space superpower.
   The  Jerusalem  Post  reported  Friday  that  Prime  Minister Benjamin
   Netanyahu  is  expected to approve plans designed to increase sales of
   locally made space platforms to nearly $8 billion a year.
   The  newspaper  said  the  multi-year  plan  also  includes  increased
   spending    on   space   research   and   development,   focusing   on
   mini-satellites as Israel's primary market.
   The report quotes the head of the Defense Ministry's Space Division as
   saying  Israel  has  the capability to carve out at least 5 percent of
   the  international  space  market,  estimated  to total $250 billion a
   year.
   The  report said Israel is in talks with several countries and defense
   companies about the possibility of space collaboration.

.