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).
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Kongsberg contracted to develop remote control communications terminal
The development of the THOR Remote Control Terminal (RCT) has been linked to the delivery of other elements of the THOR communications system such as vehicle radio modules.
-
Push for greater use of open source data, says senior British officer
The huge amount of open source data available may not carry the weight of secret sources but it does carry substantial value, according to speakers at Defence IQ C4ISR Global conference in London.
-
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing
The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.