...Italian Ministry of Defence to build, in the capacity of prime contractor, a military high-resolution optical satellite system for Earth observation called OPTSAT-3000. Telespazio will be responsible for supplying the entire system, including the satellite, the ground segment, launch and early operation services, the preparation and execution of operations and logistics, in-orbit tests and commissioning.

The satellite will be built by Israel Aerospace Industries (MBT Space Division), selected by the Ministry of Defence based on intergovernmental agreements between Italy and Israel. Under the terms of the contract, the satellite system will be delivered by the end of 2015. Telespazio staff will be stationed at Israel Aerospace Industries in Israel during the satellite testing and launch preparation phases, as well as at the Tel Aviv Control Centre during the post-launch phases, before the handover that will see satellite control pass to the Fucino Space Centre for the completion of in-orbit tests.