Israel’s newly deployed Ofek 19 spy satellite has successfully transmitted its first images back to earth, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, nearly two weeks after the spacecraft was launched into orbit.
“Engineering teams yesterday activated the satellite’s synthetic aperture radar for the first time and downloaded initial images,” the ministry said in a statement.
No copies of the photographs were released to the public.
The satellite was launched on September 2 from Palmachim Air Base in a joint effort between the Defense Ministry’s Space Department and Israel Aerospace Industries.
Since liftoff, technicians have been running a series of system checks to verify the satellite’s performance and ensure it is fully functional.
Once the testing phase concludes, control of Ofek 19 will be transferred to the Israel Defense Forces’ Military Intelligence Directorate, specifically Unit 9900, which manages the country’s visual intelligence satellites.
Defense officials say the satellite will increase Israel’s reconnaissance capabilities, particularly through its advanced radar imaging system, which can capture high-resolution pictures in any weather or lighting conditions.
Israel’s Ofek 19 spy satellite sends first images from orbit
