(Jerusalem Post/Ynet News) Israel launched an "advanced technology remote sensing satellite" into space on Tuesday - Ofek 9 - to boost its intelligence-gathering capabilities. "When we wish to examine targets, we need our own satellites to do the job," a senior defense official said. "The new satellite will enable us to perform frequent activity at higher resolution." Ofek 9 was placed in orbit by an Israel Aerospace Industries-manufactured Shavit booster rocket. The new satellite will carry a camera that's a bit more advanced than the one aboard the Ofek 7. Weighing 300 kg., Ofek 9 will orbit Earth from up to 600 km. in space, and has a four-year life span.
2010-06-23 08:34:06Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive