The Israeli Ministry of Defence is supporting efforts to develop a satellite launcher based on a design of Dov Raviv, who was responsible for the development of the Arrow missile.
The Israeli Government is not contributing funding to the programme, so Raviv is seeking private investment to start the STAR-460 launcher programme.
Raviv was general manager of the MLM division of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), where the Arrow is being developed. After leaving IAI, Raviv formed his own company, Modular Space Transportation, to implement his design of an efficient satellite launcher.
The STAR-460 launcher will be capable of lifting a cluster of satellites, weighing up to 25t, into low earth orbit, and a payload of 11t into geostationary orbit. It will be powered by two Russian engines, with the first stage to be powered by the RD-171 and the second stage by the RD-0124.
Source: Flight International
