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Eyes in the Sky

August 15, 2013

Homeland & Cyber Security

Rachel and Max Javit love Israel. It’s as simple as that.

And because the Javits love Israel, they are helping – in a major way – to boost the Jewish state’s ability to keep an “eye in the sky” that will go a long way toward keeping the country and its citizens safe.

Javits with Dan Blumberg

Max and Rachel Javit with Prof. Dan Blumberg, director of BGU’s Homeland Security Institute

“We have been involved in different projects in Israel for many years. We have a tremendous love for the country,” says Americans for Ben-Gurion University national board member Max Javit, who, together with his wife, Rachel, a native Israeli, has lived in West Hartford, Connecticut for close to 45 years.

The couple now splits their time between West Hartford and their home in Florida.

“Israel’s survival is imperative for the continuity of the Jewish people,” he says. “Can you imagine, God forbid, if Israel wasn’t here?”

The Javits can’t.  And so, when BGU proposed the establishment of a space research program as part of its highly regarded Homeland Security Institute, with the development of a very small satellite – known as a “pico-satellite” – at its core, the Javits responded to the call.

Connecticut Jewish Ledger Cover

The cover of this week’s Connecticut Jewish Ledger

The Jewish Ledger — Now, with a significant gift from the Javits, BGU scientists have developed BGUSAT — a custom-designed pico-satellite that weighs less than three kilograms and measures 4x4x12 inches — small enough to be held in a hand.

BGUSAT carries a two-camera imaging system that interacts and communicates with a ground receiving station that was also developed at BGU with funding provided by the Javits’ gift.

The innovative new satellite will enable BGU scientists to expand Israel’s space research and security program, which will culminate in the launch of BGUSAT; carrying imaging, communication and GPS technologies.

“This satellite is Israel’s eye on everything that’s going on below. It is an important tool in the fight against terrorism,” Javit explains.

“Israel,” he notes, “is one of only nine countries in the world with the capabilities to independently develop, build and launch a satellite.”

Read more on the Jewish Ledger‘s website >>