IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) and Defense Ministry
launch satellite that can take photos of Earth targets irrespective of weather
conditions.
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Ofek
10's launch. April 9, 2014. Photo by Defense Ministry and Israel Aerospace Industries
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The
Defense Ministry and Israeli Aircraft Industries launch a spy satellite into
orbit from Palmahim Air Base on Wednesday night.
The
satellite, called Ofek 10, uses radar systems for observation. It
was carried into space by a Shavit (“Comet”) launch vehicle. It
soon entered orbit, and is scheduled to undergo a series of checks to ensure
that key functions are working correctly.
The
SAR (Synthetic aperture radar) satellite has advanced day and night photography
capabilities, and will work in all weather conditions, the Defense Ministry
said.
The
launch was jointly carried out by IAI and the Defense Ministry’s Space
Administration, which is a part of the Administration for the Development of
Weapons and Technological Infrastructure.
Israel
maintains an extensive spy satellite program, which has seen the Defense
Ministry invest hundreds of millions of shekels a year in space development and
the satellite industry. Defense
officials said the program significantly upgrades the nation’s strategic
capabilities, and strengthens the hi-tech sector. The first Israeli military
satellite, Ofek 1, went into space in 1988.
Israel is one of 8 countries able to produce and launch its own satellites.
It takes an average of
eight years to develop each new satellite.
