Israel launches Ofek 7 spy satellite

Published 12 June 2007

Israel launches the latest in its Ofek spy satellite series, combining light weight — 660 lb — with cameras that can photograph objects “just a few centimetres in size.”

Moses had his spies, and modern-day Israel has spy satellites, the last one of which was launched yesterday to provide high-quality surveillance over Syria and Iran. The Ofek 7 was launched into orbit from a coastal Israeli air base, and was was expected to begin relaying high-resolution ground photographs from an altitude of 125-315 miles by the end of the week. “The successful launch adds an important layer to Israel’s defence capabilities and it is a testament to Israel’s technological strength,” outgoing defense minister Amir Peretz said in a statement.

Haim Eshed, head of the Defense Ministry’s space directorate, was more direct, as he told Army Radio that Ofek 7 would help Israel “deal with the Iranian issue.” Israel is also monitoring neighboring Syria for signs of a military build-up following last year’s war against the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

The Ofek 7 was produced by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries(IAI) under pressure to replace the Ofek 6, which was lost in a 2004 launch malfunction. The previous satellite in the series, Ofek 5, has been in orbit since 2002 and will soon be out of commission.

Isaac Ben-Israel, director of the Israel Space Agency, said Ofek 7 combined compactness — at 660 lb — with advanced cameras that can photograph objects “just a few centimetres in size.” He added: “It is the only satellite in the world with this kind of weight and performance. This standard is only available on the heavy American satellites.”

Israel is the only country in the Middle East to build and deploy its own spy satellites, a project initiated after it was surprised by a joint Syria-Egyptian attack in the October 1973 war. Israel’s first Ofek — Hebrew for “horizon” — went up in 1988.