Israel launches new spy satellite into orbit

Jerusalem, Mar 29 (EFE).- Israel has launched an Ofek-13 spy satellite into orbit in order to provide the military with better-quality images, according to the defense ministry early Wednesday.

“The satellite successfully entered orbit, has begun transmitting data, and completed an initial series of inspections in accordance with original launch plans,” said defense minister Yoav Gallant, who remains in office, despite prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacking him over the weekend.

Gallant added the satellite, launched into space at 2:10 am (23:20 GMT) from the Palmachim spaceport and airforce base, was “yet another important example of the Israeli defense establishment’s groundbreaking innovation.”

“Israel has already proved its diverse space capabilities many times and is one of very few countries to possess such capabilities – capabilities that we continue to develop and strengthen,” he continued after attending the launch with other senior military officials.

Israel launched its first satellite, Ofek-1, into space in 1988, and fired another reconnaissance satellite capable of photographing the Earth into orbit seven years later.

Last year, Ofek-16 that was launched into space in July 2020 won Israel’s top security award. EFE

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