The Defense Ministry together with Israel Aerospace Industries on Wednesday successfully launched the Ofek 13 satellite into space, the ministry’s statement said.
Ofek 13 is an observation satellite with advanced capabilities. Once it enters the orbit, it will undergo a “series of tests to ensure its propriety and performance levels,” the ministry said.
“The IMoD Space and Satellite Administration in the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) successfully launched the Ofek 13 satellite into space at 02:10 IST today [Wednesday]. The launch took place at a test site in central Israel using a Shavit launcher,” the statement said.
The IMoD Space and Satellite Administration has led the development and production of the satellite and its launcher. The IDF’s 9900 Intelligence Unit and the Israeli Air Force also participated in the development process. The launch engines were developed by Rafael Advanced Systems and Tomer, a government-owned company, the defense ministry statement added.