Israel launched its latest surveillance satellite on 28 May. Ofeq-5 was launched aboard an Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Shavit booster from Palmachim, 6km (10 miles) south of Tel Aviv. Ofeq-5 will now undergo a series of tests, expected to take several weeks, to verify its operation and performance. The IAI-built satellite is a three-axis, stabilised lightweight bus, carrying an Elop optical payload with a sub-1m resolution. The 300kg (660lb) Ofeq-5 operates in 370-600km (230-370 mile) orbits, circling the earth every 90min.
Source: Flight International