Ofeq-9

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.

Ofeq-9

Names	Ofek-9
Mission type	Optical reconnaissance
Operator	Israeli Ministry of Defence / Tsahal
COSPAR ID	2010-031A
SATCAT no.	36608
Mission duration	5 years (planned) [1] 15 years and 5 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Ofeq-9
Bus	OPSAT-2000[2]
Manufacturer	Israel Aerospace Industries
Launch mass	297 kg (655 lb)
Dimensions	2.3 m in height 1.2 m in diameter Span: 3.6 m on orbit [3]
Power	400 watts
Start of mission
Launch date	22 June 2010, 19:00 UTC[4]
Rocket	Shavit 2 (No.8)
Launch site	Palmachim Air Base
Contractor	Israel Aerospace Industries
Entered service	25 June 2010 [3]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit[5]
Regime	Low Earth orbit (Retrograde orbit)
Perigee altitude	466 km (290 mi)
Apogee altitude	567 km (352 mi)
Inclination	141.74°
Period	94.81 minutes
Ofeq series ← TecSAR-1 (Ofeq-8) Ofeq-10 →

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]