Ofeq-11

Ofeq-11

Names	Ofek-11
Mission type	Optical reconnaissance
Operator	Israeli Ministry of Defence / Tsahal
COSPAR ID	2016-056A
SATCAT no.	41759
Mission duration	5 years (planned) 7 years, 7 months and 14 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Ofeq-11
Bus	OPSAT-3000
Manufacturer	Israel Aerospace Industries
Launch mass	370 kg (820 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	13 September 2016, 14:38 UTC
Rocket	Shavit 2 (No.10)
Launch site	Palmachim Air Base
Contractor	Israel Aerospace Industries
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Perigee altitude	341 km (212 mi)
Apogee altitude	594 km (369 mi)
Inclination	142.53°
Period	94.0 minutes
Ofeq series ← Ofeq-10 Ofeq-16 →

Ofeq-11, also known as Ofek 11 (Horizon in Hebrew), is part of the Ofeq family of reconnaissance satellites designed and built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Launch

Ofek-11 was launched on 13 September 2016, at 14:38 UTC from the Palmachim Airbase in Israel, two years after the launch of Ofeq-10. It was delivered using IAI's Shavit 2 launcher. Compared to its predecessor, the new satellite features an improved version of El-Op's "Jupiter High-Resolution Imaging System", with resolution increased to 0.5 meter, and uses a new satellite bus - OPSAT-3000 - which is a derivative of the satellite bus used in TecSAR-1.^[1]

Mission

According to reports, the launch initially looked like a success, but about 90 minutes later, engineers realized that while the satellite had entered orbit, not all systems were functioning or responding to instructions. However, after several days of remote repairs, the satellite was operational and taking high-quality pictures.^[2] It has been reported that South Korea is considering utilizing the satellite to obtain reconnaissance on North Korean activities.^[3]

References

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