Israel launches new satellite
Israel’s latest remote-sensing satellite, Ofeq-9, was successfully placed in orbit on June 22 by an Israel Aerospace Industries Shavit vehicle launched fro

Israel’s latest remote-sensing satellite, Ofeq-9, was successfully placed in orbit on June 22 by an Israel Aerospace Industries Shavit vehicle launched from Palmachim Air Force Base, near the cities of Rishon LeZion and Yavne. Three days later the IAI-built satellite began transmitting its first high-resolution images.

Ofeq-9 joins a growing constellation of Israeli reconnaissance satellites that include the optical sensor, Ofeq-5 and Ofeq-7, and the TecSAR satellite with imaging synthetic aperture radar. IAI developed Ofeq-9 in response to an Israeli ministry of defense requirement, working with other Israeli specialists such as Elisra, El-Op, IMI, Rafael and Tadiran-Spectralink.