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Israel
Launches Surveillance Satellite
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An Israeli Shavit
successfully launched Ofeq 5 at 1525 UTC on May 28 from Palmachim Air
Force Base south of Tel Aviv, Israel (early news reports indicated
a launch time of 13:30, but the tracking data suggests otherwise). The launch used a westward
trajectory to avoid overflight of Arab countries. It was expected
to place the spacecraft in a 500 km (270 nmi) orbit. The satellite is estimated to have cost $60 million.
Ofeq 5 replaces
Ofeq-3, which continued in operation through the end of 2001. Ofeq
5, a slightly heavier version of previous Ofeq satellites, was
built by the MBT Division of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI).
Details of the resolution and performance of Israeli satellites
remain classified
The
launch is reported to have used an improved version of the Shavit
rocket, which is a derivative of Israel’s Jericho ballistic
missile. The IAI MBT division is the Shavit prime contractor. This
improved version of the rocket is reported to hold more propellant
to lift heavier spacecraft than earlier designs.
Ofeq
translates from Hebrew into English as Horizon.
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