Launch of Ofek 16
The Ministry of Security and Aeronautics Industry launched the Ofek 16 spy satellite into space this past Monday 14 Tammuz. A highly sophisticated electro-optic surveillance satellite, it entered its orbit shortly after launching and began broadcasting data.
Prime Minister Netanyahu related to this launching at the opening of a government meeting and said, "We are not being lax for a moment in our efforts regarding security. The success of Ofek 16 greatly heightens our capacity to operate against Israel's enemies, both near and far. It significantly broadens our ability to function on the land, at sea, in the air as well as in outer space."
Security Minister Benny Ganz added, "Our success in launching this satellite is another major milestone for our security network. Our country's technological and intelligence superiority is truly a foundation in its security. The fact that Israel is one of the 13 countries in the world with the ability to launch satellites into space is not to be taken for granted, but is thanks to the men who apply themselves to these systems and who have effected major breakthroughs over the many years."
The development and production of the satellite and its launcher is being promoted by the Security Ministry via the Challenger Space Administration [of MPAT). The Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is the prime contractor of the project, the Missile and Space Division, through the Space Works which leads the project together with MaLaM, which develops the launcher.
Assembling Ofek 16
It should be noted that the first Israeli satellite, Ofek 1, was launched into space 32 years ago, in 1988. Israel was the seventh country in the world which had full capacity of doing so.
Today, Israel is one of the 13 countries with this advantage, alongside the U.S., Russia, China, France, Italy, England, India and North and South Korea, Japan, Ukraine and Iran.
