Ofek-9

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.

Ofek-9
Mission typeOptical reconnaissance
OperatorIsraeli Ministry of Defence
COSPAR ID2010-031A
SATCAT no.36608
Mission duration5 years[1]
Spacecraft properties
BusOPSAT-2000[2]
ManufacturerIAI
Launch mass300 kilograms (660 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date22 June 2010, 19:00 (2010-06-22UTC19Z) UTC[3]
RocketShavit-2
Launch sitePalmachim
ContractorIsrael Space Agency
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth (Retrograde)
Perigee altitude466 kilometers (290 mi)
Apogee altitude567 kilometers (352 mi)
Inclination141.74 degrees
Period94.81 minutes
Epoch8 November 2012, 00:13:28 UTC[4]
 

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 Ofek-5 and Ofek-7, Ofek-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. "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. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  6. Barbara Opall-Rome (22 June 2010). "Israel Launches Ofeq-9 Satellite". DefenseNews. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. 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". satobs.org/seesat. Retrieved 2011-09-01.


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