Ofek-9

Ofek-9
Mission type Optical reconnaissance
Operator Israeli Ministry of Defence
COSPAR ID 2010-031A
SATCAT № 36608
Mission duration 5 years[1]
Spacecraft properties
Bus OPSAT-2000[2]
Manufacturer IAI
Launch mass 300 kilograms (660 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date 22 June 2010, 19:00 (2010-06-22UTC19Z) UTC[3]
Rocket Shavit-2
Launch site Palmachim
Contractor Israel Space Agency
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth (Retrograde)
Perigee 466 kilometers (290 mi)
Apogee 567 kilometers (352 mi)
Inclination 141.74 degrees
Period 94.81 minutes
Epoch 8 November 2012, 00:13:28 UTC[4]

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

It was launched on June 22, 2010 from Palmachim Airbase in Israel. It was delivered using an improved version of the Shavit launcher. The payload is believed to be the multi-spectral 'Jupiter' space camera produced by El-Op [5][6][7][8] 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.[6] The satellite was also said to be able to detect objects being carried by people.[9]

The satellite operates in a retrograde low Earth orbit.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "UCS Satellite Database". Union of Concerned Scientists. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  2. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Ofeq 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  3. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Peat, Chris (8 November 2012). "OFEQ 9 - Orbit". Heavens Above. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "OFEQ 9 - the New Israeli Spy Satellite". Defense Update. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  6. 1 2 Barbara Opall-Rome (22 June 2010). "Israel Launches Ofeq-9 Satellite". DefenseNews. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  7. ↑ Hanan Greenberg (23 June 2010). "Israel launches spy satellite". Ynet. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  8. ↑ "Israel launches new Ofek 9 military spy satellite". Haaretz. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  9. ↑ Aviel Magnezi (24 June 2010). "Experts: Ofek 9 will detect Iranian activity". Ynet. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  10. ↑ Molczan, Ted (2011-08-31). "Ofeq 9 elements". http://www.satobs.org/seesat. Retrieved 2011-09-01. External link in |publisher= (help)


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