Israel Aerospace Industries inaugurated on Wednesday a course designed to train secondary school teachers in the instruction of space studies, the company announced.

Twenty teachers from the Ort Technological School, a nationwide franchise, were selected to participate in the 6-month course, which is run by IAI's space experts and includes topics such as the impact of space environment on electronic components, electric and electro-optic systems, satellites in orbits, nano-satellites and more.

IAI officials touted the course as "unique and innovative," saying it was the first time that a local defense contractor was lending its experts to provide civilian teachers with the professional tools required to instruct their pupils in space studies.

As part of the course, the students will tour state-owned IAI's space laboratories and facilities, including the "Clean Room" where satellites undergo testing during their construction and the satellite command and control ground station, IAI said in a statement.

Israel is among eight countries in the world capable of building and launching satellites. Since 1996, IAI has successfully launched 14. The most recent Amos 4 entered orbit in August. The company is presently building five satellites slated for launching in the coming years.

IAI CEO Yossi Weiss said the unique course was inspired by Israeli youth growing interest in space.

"Granting enriching knowledge to students constitutes a response to the interest shown on their behalf leading the current generation of students to the challenges of the future," he said.

Source: Xinhua News Agency