Israel launched the Ofek 13 satellite into space.
March 29, 2023 (documentation on social networks according to Article 27A of the Copyright Law)
It will improve the intelligence image of enemy countries, will help Israel make important decisions, takes pictures in any weather and marks a technological leap for the intelligence community - this is how the Ofek satellite was described by 13 senior officials in the Ministry of Defense after it was launched into space tonight (Wednesday).
Avi Berger, head of the space directorate in the Directorate of Research and Development of Weapons at the Ministry of Defense (MoD), spoke about the excitement of the successful technological effort. "Last night we successfully completed a complex operation, one of the most exciting I've ever had.
Ofek 13 - a satellite that emits an image that you see like a normal image and is based on technology that allows light to be produced through electromagnetic radiation," Berger explained about the satellite.
He further elaborated on the technology and said that "the operational meaning is that we can see both at night and during the day. Its camera penetrates clouds, in all weather conditions. The launch was eloquent, nominal, according to the original plan and now it is cruising in space and producing the first indications."
Ofek 13 joins a series of satellites launched by the Ministry of Defense and the Air Industry in recent years, and which operate regularly together with Unit 9900 in the IDF's Intelligence Division. "It will produce very significant intelligence from space," Berger said.
Launch of Ofek 13, tonight (Photo: Ministry of Defense, Spokesperson and Public Relations Division)
Launch of Ofek 13, tonight (Photo: Ministry of Defense, Spokesperson and Public Relations Division)
Boaz Levy, CEO of IAI, said: "This is another eye in space, more capabilities.
This is a holiday for the State of Israel.
will help the State of Israel to make the right decisions.
We are launching such a satellite with additional capabilities.
More products are adapted to the needs of the security system.
A launch of this kind precisely these days represents all that is good and special in the State of Israel.
Few countries in the world have this type of technology.
The satellite moves in its orbit around the earth.
A very accurate route.
Passes by the earth once every hour and a half and we have been talking since the launch at 02:00 in the morning.
We are studying his condition and we are currently doing tests for each of his systems."
The night launch of the satellite was carried out using a satellite launcher of the "Shavit" type, from an experimental field in the center of the country.
This is a radar observation satellite with advanced capabilities. Upon entering orbit around the Earth, the satellite will undergo a series of tests designed to verify its integrity and level of performance. The development and production of the satellite and launcher is led by the Ministry of Defense, through the Space Directorate at the Israel Defense Forces.
IAI is the main contractor of the project - the missile and space systems division, led by the "Hell" plant, leads the project in cooperation with the "Alta" division and other plants in the company.
The companies "Tomer", a government defense company, and "Raphael" will produce the engines of the launch rocket.
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