Ruhama Avraham Balila, the Minister in charge of events marking 60 years of Israel's independence announced that she will incorporate the launching of the Amos 3 satellite in the series of events marking the country's 60th anniversary. The satellite will be adorned accordingly and will carry a giant logo of the 60th anniversary events.
The CEO of Space-Communication (Spacecom) welcomed the initiative and agreed to Minister Avraham's request to add the festive logo to the body of the satellite to be launched into space. Television viewers in Israel and around the world who watch the launch will see the satellite bearing the logo marking Israel's 60th anniversary.
As part of including space in events to mark Israel's 60th anniversary, Spacecom will examine the possibility of changing the name of the Amos 3 satellite to Amos 60 as a special tribute to 60 years of Israel's independence.
Spacecom's Amos 3 satellite is manufactured by the Israel Aircraft Industries and will be launched into space at the end of March 2008 from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. Amos 3 will replace the Amos 1 satellite whose service is expected to come to an end during the second half of 2008. Amos 3 will provide coverage of Europe, the Middle East and the East Coast of the United States. The satellite will be positioned in space at the W4 position near the Amos 2 satellite.
Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila: "The launch of the Amos 3 satellite into space is one of the salient examples of Israel's technological might. The launch will coincide with the award of citations to the founding fathers and trailblazers of Israeli technology over the years. Minister Avraham Balila added that the recipients of the citations will be chosen by a special committee that she will appoint soon, composed of leading figures in science and technology.