The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that it had launched a new spy satellite with advanced imaging capabilities.
The Ofek-13 “ observation satellite
”
was put into orbit
from a launch base in central Israel overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"
We will continue to prove that there are no limits, even in the sky, for Israel Defense and that we continue to build its capabilities in all dimensions in the face of multiple challenges," he said
.
Restricted Club of Space Powers
Developed by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Ofek-13 is to be handed over to the Israeli military after a series of in-orbit tests, the statement said.
"
Ofek-13 is the most advanced of its kind, with unique observation capabilities and will allow intelligence gathering in all weather and visibility conditions," the statement said, referring to synthetic
radar. openness with which it is endowed.
Israel joined the select club of space powers in 1988 with the launch of its first Ofek (“
Horizon
” in Hebrew) satellite.
