Ofeq-9

Ofeq-9
NamesOfek-9
Mission typeOptical reconnaissance
OperatorIsraeli Ministry of Defence / Tsahal
COSPAR ID2010-031A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.36608
Mission duration5 years (planned) [1]
14 years, 6 months and 11 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

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.

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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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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