Ofeq-9

Spacecraft n°:

Israelian spacecraft n°: 16

Launch data: Designation  36608 / 10031A Launch date  22 June 2010 - 19:00? UT Launch site  Palmachim Airbase Launch vehicle  Shaviyt-1 Mission  Military: Remote Sensing / Imaging LEO Earth orbit on Jun 22.91: Perigee / Apogee  343 x 588 km Eccentricity  1.80E-02 Inclination  141.78 deg Period  93.90 min

Ofeq-5 satellite

Spacecraft data:

Mission details:

• Reconnaissance satellite Mideast area; especially Syria and Iran.
• Israel made its first satellite launch in three years on Jun 22 as a three stage Shaviyt ('Comet') rocket placed 'Ofeq-9 into a 343 x 588 km x 141.8 deg orbit; the AUS-51 solid third stage is in a 294 x 595 km orbit. The 'Ofeq satellites carry imaging reconnaissance payloads. This is the first launch with a solid-propellant upper stage so far this year (since the Naro-1 was lost before the upper stage ignited), continuing a welcome trend resulting in reducing the amount of orbital debris due to solid motor exhaust particles.