Ofeq 5

Ofeq, also spelled Offek or Ofek (Hebrew: אופק, lit. Horizon) is the designation of a series of Israeli reconnaissance satellites. All Ofeq satellites have been launched on Shavit rockets from Palmachim Air Force Base on the Mediterranean coast into a Low Earth Orbit, completing one earth orbit every 90 minutes. The satellite launches caused Israel to become the eighth nation to launch satellites. Both the satellites and the launchers were designed and manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). Image File history File linksMetadata Ofeq5. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Ofeq5. ... Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than 7 million people, mainly in Israel, the West Bank, the United States and by Jewish communities around the world. ... A spy satellite (officially referred to as a reconnaissance satellite or recon sat) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. ... Shavit (Hebrew: comet) is a launch vehicle produced by Israel. ... Palmachim is a Kibbuz in Israel about ten kilometers southern of Tel Aviv at the Mediterranean Sea at 31°54 northern latitude and 34°42 eastern longitude. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ...

Description

While exact technical details and capabilities are classified, it is assumed that the Ofeq satellites have ultraviolet and visible imaging sensors, and an effective operational lifespan of 1-3 years. While some early reports state the reconnaissance capabilities as such that would allow "reading license plates in Baghdad", other reports place the imaging resolution at 6 ft (1.8 meters). Location of Baghdad within Iraq Baghdad (Arabic: , Persian: بغداد (Meaning in Persian : from angels) is the capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Province. ...

Most non-Israeli satellites are launched eastward to gain a boost from the Earth's rotational speed. However, Ofeq satellites are launched westward (retrograde orbit) over the Mediterranean to avoid flying and dropping spent rocket stages over populated areas in Israel and neighboring Arab countries. Other Israeli satellites (such as the Amos series) are launched from locations in other countries. This article is about retrograde motion. ... Amos was a Biblical prophet (see Amos (prophet)) and putative author of the Book of Amos. ...

Ofeq's east-to-west orbit at 36 degrees inclination is phased to give optimal daylight coverage of the Middle East. Ofeq makes a half-dozen or so daylight passes per day over Israel and the surrounding countries, whereas US and Russian spysats only get one or two passes per day from their higher inclination orbits. This optimal coverage degrades after several months, nevertheless keeping a very good coverage of the Middle East. Wikiquote has a collection of quotations by or about: United States Wikinews has news related to this article: United States United States government CIA World Factbook Entry for United States House. ...

Launch history

• Ofeq 1, launched September 19, 1988, possessed a weight of 155 kg and circled the earth on an orbit with a perigee of 249 km and an apogee of 1149 km on a course bent around 142.9 degrees. It accomplished mainly solar cell and radio transmission tests.

• Ofeq 2, was launched April 23, 1990 on a course with a perigee of 149 km and an apogee of 251 km, bent around 143.2 degrees. It also accomplished communication tests.

• Another satellite of the Ofeq series, possibly attempted to be launched on September 15, 1994, was possibly aborted or had a failure during launch.

• Ofeq 3, launched April 5, 1995, was the first operational Israeli satellite with reconnaissance (photography) capabilities. It weighed 225 kg and had a perigee of 369 km and was launched on a new version of Shavit.

• Ofeq 4, launched January 22, 1998, did not achieve earth orbit due to a launcher failure and was lost.

• Ofeq 5, was launched 28 May 2002. The 300 kg Ofeq 5 orbited the earth on a course with a perigee of 262 km and an apogee of 774 km, bent around 143.5 degrees. During the course of its mission, its perigee was raised to 369 km and its apogee was lowered on 771 kilometers, in an attempt to prolong the satellite's lifespan.

• Ofeq 6, launched September 6, 2004 encountered another launcher failure, failed to achieve low earth orbit and also crashed to the sea. The launcher failure was due to a new third stage of the Shavit launcher (all launchers until then used two stages only).

September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on a Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... April 5 is the 95th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (96th in leap years). ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... 2002 (MMII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• IAI's space systems website
• Description of Ofeq 1,2 in Astronautix
• Description of Ofeq 5 in Astronautix
• Palmachim Air Force base in GlobalSecurity
• Speculation on Ofeq's orbit in GlobalSecurity