Ofeq, also spelled Offek or Ofek is the designation of a series of Israeli reconnaissance satellites first launched in 1988. Most Ofek satellites have been carried on top of Shavit 2 rockets from Palmachim Airbase in Israel, on the Mediterranean coast. The low Earth orbit satellites complete one Earth orbit every 90 minutes. The satellite launches made Israel the eighth nation to gain an indigenous launch capability. Both the satellites and the launchers were designed and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries with Elbit Systems' El-Op division supplying the optical payload.
Description
While exact technical details and capabilities are classified, it is assumed that the Ofek satellites have an effective operational lifespan of 1–3 years and ultraviolet and visible imaging sensors. Some early reports stated the reconnaissance capabilities as such that would allow "reading license plates in Baghdad", but that can be ruled out on grounds of physical optics. Other reports more plausibly place the imaging resolution at 80 cm for Ofek-5. Most non-Israeli satellites are launched eastward to gain a boost from the Earth's rotational speed. However, Ofek satellites are launched westward over the Mediterranean to avoid flying over, and dropping spent rocket stages over, populated land areas. Other Israeli satellites are launched from locations in other countries. Ofek's east-to-west orbit of 143.0° orbital inclination is phased to give good daylight coverage of the Middle East. Ofek makes a half-dozen or so daylight passes per day over Israel and the surrounding countries, whereas American and Russian spysats only get one or two passes per day from their higher inclination orbits.
Ofek-2, was launched on 23 April 1990, on a course with a perigee of 149 km and an apogee of 251 km, bent around 143.2°. It also accomplished communication tests.
Ofek-3, the launch of Ofek-3 was initially postponed from 15 September 1994 to 5 April 1995, was launched on 5 April 1995, was the first operational Israeli satellite with reconnaissance capabilities. It weighed 225 kg and had a perigee of 369 km and was launched on a new version of Shavit 2.
Ofek-4, was launched on 22 January 1998, did not achieve Earth orbit due to a launcher failure and was lost.
Ofek-5, was launched on 28 May 2002. The 300 kg Ofek-5 orbited the Earth on a course with a perigee of 262 km and an apogee of 774 km, bent around 143.5°. During the course of its mission, its perigee was raised to 369 km and its apogee was lowered to 771 kilometers, in an attempt to prolong the satellite's lifespan. Some observers believe that the 300 kg weight of the satellite, combined with the additional propulsive requirements of the retrograde orbit, constitute a de facto demonstration of the Shavit's ICBM potential.
Ofek-6, was launched on 6 September 2004, encountered another launcher failure, failed to achieve low Earth orbit and crashed to the sea. The launcher failure was due to the third stage of the Shavit 2 launcher.
Ofek-7 was successfully launched on 11 June 2007 using the Shavit 2 launcher.
Ofek-9 was successfully launched on 22 June 2010 from Palmachim Air Base using the upgraded Shavit 2 launcher.
Ofek-10, providing high-resolution synthetic-aperture radar, was successfully launched on 9 April 2014 from Palmachim Air Base using the upgraded Shavit 2 launcher.
Ofek-11 was successfully launched on 13 September 2016 from Palmachim Air Base using the upgraded Shavit 2 launcher.
Ofek-16 was successfully launched on 6 July 2020 from Palmachim Air Base using the upgraded Shavit 2 launcher.
