Ofek 16 takes its first pictures
The Israeli MoD and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have released the first images from the Ofek 16 EO reconnaissance satellite that was launched in early July.
The imagery showed the ancient ruins of Palmyra in Syria.
Defence Minister Benny Gantz said: ‘The technological means we develop in the Ministry of Defence together with our industries, are effective and significant tools in maintaining Israel's security.’
Engineers from IAI and the Israeli MoD are continuing work to prepare the Ofek 16 satellite for operational use.
After in-orbit tests are completed by process by IAI, the Israel Space Agency and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), formal responsibility for operating Ofek 16 will be transferred from the MoD to Unit 9900 (the satellite imagery unit in the IDF Intelligence Corps).
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