Israel launches new Ofek-13 spy satellite into orbit

Category : International Published on: April 06 2023

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Israel successfully launched the “Ofek-13” spy satellite into space.
The satellite, the latest in a line of Israeli observation assets in space, will provide the military with better-quality images than its predecessors.
“The ‘Ofek-13’ satellite is a [synthetic-aperture radar] observation satellite with advanced capabilities.
A Shavit launch vehicle shot the satellite into space from the Palmachim Airbase.
The satellite’s development and production were led by the Defense Ministry’s Space and Satellite Administration, with development involving various IDF bodies, including the visual intelligence Unit 9900 and the air force.
Israel’s state-owned Rafael and Tomer defense firms produced the launch engines.
Israel launched its first satellite, Ofek-1, into space in 1988. It was not until seven years later, in 1995, that Israel launched a reconnaissance satellite into space capable of photographing the Earth.
The Ofek-16 was launched into space in July 2020, and won Israel’s top security prize last year.
Israel is one of a small number of countries in the world that operate reconnaissance satellites, giving it advanced intelligence-gathering capabilities.
As of 2020, that cadre included Iran, which successfully launched a spy satellite into orbit after years of failed attempts.