Israels Space Program

Israel's Space Program
Independence Day Coin 2003/5763 55th Anniversary

In 1988, Israel successfully launched its first experimental satellite, "Ofeq 1" and joined the small group of nations equipped with the technology to send satellites into orbit. By 2003, additional satellites had been launched, including Amos1 and Amos 2 (civil communications satellites), Gurwin 2 (a research satellite developed by the Technion), Eros (a commercial observation satellite) and Ofeq 5. Future launches were planned to include additional observation and communications satellites.

The 2003 Israel Commemorative Coin highlighted Israel's achievements in Space and was dedicated to the memory of Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, and the six other crew members who lost their lives in the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy. The words "In Memory of Ilan Ramon and his colleagues on the Columbia" are inscribed on the coin edge.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, inscription "INDEPENDENCE DAY 2003" in Hebrew and English. A different satellite is depicted on each of the coin versions: "Eros" on the Gold Proof Coin, "Amos" on the Silver Proof Coin and "Ofeq" on the Silver Prooflike Coin.

Reverse: The "Shavit" Rocket with inscription "ISRAEL'S SPACE PROGRAM" in Hebrew and English.

Edge: "In Memory of Ilan Ramon and his colleagues on the Columbia"

Mint Marks: Silver Prooflike Coin – Star of David Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: Gideon Keich

Plaster Models: Tidhar Dagan

Dies: Mint of Finland

Mint: Mint of Finland