U.N. set to debate draft resolution calling for Israel to head efforts to assist agriculture worldwide via the images from its Israeli-French vegetation monitoring microsatellite, Venus.

Shlomo Cesana and Israel Hayom Staff

The United Nations is expected to announce Monday that Israel will head efforts to assist agriculture worldwide through the analysis of satellite images derived from its Venus satellite.

Illustration of the VENµS minisatellite – Image credit- CNES, IAI

The Venus vegetation and environment monitoring microsatellite, launched into space in late July, was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries in collaboration with the French space agency CNES.

Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems produced the satellite’s innovative electric propulsion system, and defense electronics contractor Elbit Systems provided advanced high-resolution cameras that will enable the satellite to better monitor the earth’s vegetation and any changes on the ground.

Venus is Israel’s first climate monitoring satellite. It takes images of 110 agricultural areas in Israel once every two days and its high-resolution cameras allow researchers to detect even the slightest changes in the environment.

The United Nations is scheduled to hold a special session on Monday to debate an Israeli draft resolution calling for advancing agricultural technologies in developing countries, which is expected to pass.

Image of Jerusalem, as seen from space by the Venus research satellite – Photo: Venus satellite

As part of the session, the U.N. headquarters in New York will showcase a series of satellite images taken by Venus of cities including Jerusalem, Marseille and Brasilia.

“As part of this event, Venus’ abilities to contribute to agricultural monitoring and sustainable development will be presented to the world,” Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis said Sunday.

“There is no competition in the international arena for Israeli achievements in science and technology. This is the best kind of public diplomacy and it shows the world Israel’s strengths.”

View original Israel Hayom publication at:
http://www.israelhayom.com/2017/11/20/israeli-satellite-to-help-global-agriculture-flourish/