Israel launching new satellite to watch Iran
Over the next few months, Israel will launch a new satellite, the Ofek 8, which will play a significant role in monitoring Iranian activities.In an effort to beef up intelligence gathering in the face of Iran’s pursuit of nuclear power, will send a new spy satellite into space in the coming months, The Jerusalem Post has learned.Hmmm....
Called Ofek 8, the satellite will be launched from and is currently in its final production stages at Israel Aerospace Industries. It will be placed in low orbit by the IAI-made Shavit launcher that was used for the Ofek 7 satellite in 2007.
“This will significantly boost our intelligence-gathering capabilities,” a defense official said.
The Ofek 8 weighs about 300 kg. and can complete an orbit every 90 minutes.
While the new satellite will not represent a significant technological breakthrough – it will carry the same camera as the Ofek 7 – it will provide the IDF with greater flexibility in utilizing its space assets.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:08 PM
2 Comments:
Interestingly, Shavit is the only launcher, and Israel the only country, that launches AGAINST the spin of the earth, to the west.
Everyone else launches to the east (Polar orbits are an exception) to cash in on the free beer of the earths rotation.
Shavit looses a lot of payload capability, by having to fight the earths rotation, and not getting the free lunch.
Something about nervous nelly neighbours, who think any satellite launch, declared or otherwise is a missile attack.
Hi Carl.
A pitty they can't launch a rocket that takes out the key figures in Iran.
I think you need to keep an eye on this phony guy also.
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=167393
Will.
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