Shavit - Ofeq-9

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http://www.iai.co.il : Israel's "Ofeq 9" satellite was launched and successfully injected into orbit

The following announcement was issued by Israel's Ministry of Defence spokesman on June 22nd, 2010:


"Today 06.22.2010 at 22:00 hrs, Israel's "Ofeq 9" satellite was launched and successfully injected into orbit by means of a "Shavit" satellite launcher.

In the next phase, the satellite will undergo several tests for validation of its serviceability and satisfactory performance.

"Ofeq-9" is an advanced remote sensing satellite.

Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI) developed and produced the satellite in response to an order placed by the IMOD, in cooperation with various other local industrial companies, including: El-Op, IMI, Rafael, Tadiran-Spectralink, Elisra and others.

The launch was conducted from the Israel Air Force test range."

Ofeq 9 Satellite being launched

Ofeq 9 entering to orbit illustration

Launcher : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavit

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsePRPwyOFs [/youtube]

Satellite :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofeq_9

Launched from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmachim_Airbase

http://www.universetoday.com : Israel Launches Spy Satellite

June 22nd, 2010

Written by Nancy Atkinson


The launch of Israel's Ofeq 9 satellite with the Shavit launch vehicle on June 22, 2010. Image courtesy Israeli Aerospace Industries, Ltd.

Israel launched an "Ofeq 9" satellite on Tuesday, an advanced remote sensing satellite that likely is capable of high resolution surveillance of images to monitor Iran's nuclear program. The satellite was launched on Israel's Shavit launch vehicle.

The Israel Defense Minstry gave no details on the satellite, only releasing this statement following the launch: "A few minutes ago the State of Israel launched the Ofek-9 (Horizon-9) satellite from the Palmachim base (Israel's Air Force test range). The results of the launch are being examined by the technical team."

 

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SDC : Israel Launches New Spy Satellite

By Barbara Opall-Rome
Space News
posted: 23 June 2010
10:58 am ET

TEL AVIV, Israel - Israel successfully delivered its latest spy satellite into low Earth orbit Tuesday using an improved version of its indigenous Shavit launcher, defense sources here said.

An official Ministry of Defense (MoD) notice of launch, which took place around 10 p.m. local time, is expected by midnight, once technicians ascertain initial functioning of the Ofeq-9 imaging satellite. By June 25, officials say they should be able to validate the operational capability of the 300-kilogram satellite and its subsystems and begin receiving the first pictures from its high-resolution sensor.

"We delivered it perfectly, but we're still waiting to hear the baby's screams," said Chaim Eshed, director for space programs at Israel's MoD.

 

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf8IEcu1Slc[/youtube]