Ofeq-9

Ofeq-9, also known as Ofek 9 ("Horizon in Hebrew), is part of the Ofeq family of reconnaissance satellites designed and built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Ofeq-9
NamesOfek-9
Mission typeOptical reconnaissance
OperatorIsraeli Ministry of Defence / Tsahal
COSPAR ID2010-031A
SATCAT no.36608
Mission duration5 years (planned) [1]
13 years, 4 months and 3 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftOfeq-9
BusOPSAT-2000[2]
ManufacturerIsrael Aerospace Industries
Launch mass297 kg (655 lb)
Dimensions2.3 m in height
1.2 m in diameter
Span: 3.6 m on orbit [3]
Power400 watts
Start of mission
Launch date22 June 2010, 19:00 UTC[4]
RocketShavit 2 (No.8)
Launch sitePalmachim Air Base
ContractorIsrael Aerospace Industries
Entered service25 June 2010 [3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[5]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
(Retrograde orbit)
Perigee altitude466 km (290 mi)
Apogee altitude567 km (352 mi)
Inclination141.74°
Period94.81 minutes
 

Launch

It was launched on 22 June 2010, at 19:00 UTC, from Palmachim Air Baise in Israel. It was delivered using an improved version of the Shavit launcher.

Mission

The payload is believed to be the multi-spectral "Jupiter" space camera produced by El-Op.[6][7][8][9] While precise imaging capabilities remain classified, sources say that like the still operating Ofeq-5 and Ofeq-7, Ofeq-9 offers a resolution "much better than" a half-meter.[7] The satellite was also said to be able to detect objects being carried by people.[10] The satellite operates in a retrograde low Earth orbit.[11]

References
  1. "UCS Satellite Database". Union of Concerned Scientists. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  2. "Ofeq 5, 6, 7, 9". Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  3. "Israel Declares Ofeq-9 Reconnaissance Satellite Operational". SpaceNews. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  4. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  5. "OFEQ 9 - Orbite". Heavens Above. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  6. "OFEQ 9 - the New Israeli Spy Satellite". DefenseUpdate. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  7. Barbara Opall-Rome (22 June 2010). "Israel Launches Ofeq-9 Satellite". DefenseNews. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  8. Hanan Greenberg (23 June 2010). "Israel launches spy satellite". Ynetnews.com. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  9. "Israel launches new Ofek 9 military spy satellite". Haaretz. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  10. Aviel Magnezi (24 June 2010). "Experts: Ofeq 9 will detect Iranian activity". Ynetnews.com. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  11. Molczan, Ted (31 August 2011). "Ofeq 9 elements". satobs.org/seesat. SatObs. Retrieved 9 May 2021.


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