Tel Aviv. In preparation of operational activity, the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled images taken by Ofek 16 satellite over Syria.
According to the country’s Ministry of Defense, the Space Administration of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), in the Ministry is also revealing the national infrastructure for the production of space cameras. This infrastructure is shared by the IMoD and Elbit Systems.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz speaking on the development said: “The State of Israel knows how to defend against its enemies both near and far as well as to protect its citizens everywhere from any given location. The technological means we develop in the Ministry of Defense together with our industries are effective and significant tools in maintaining Israel’s security.
We will continue to work and promote Israel’s technological advance and edge, an element that is essential in contending with the many challenges we face.”
The engineering teams of the DDR&D and IAI are continuing their work in preparing the Ofek 16 satellite for operational use. For the first time, the Ministry of Defense is releasing images taken by the satellite in recent days. These images were taken over Syria and show the ‘Tadmor’ world heritage site, ancient ruins and the renowned Roman theater.
Ofek 16, which was successfully launched into space last month, is an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities. It is equipped with a high-quality camera developed and manufactured by Elbit Systems. The camera has the best performance and weight characteristics available in the market.
Hundreds of millions of NIS were invested in the national infrastructure for the production of space cameras. Shared by the Ministry of Defense and Elbit Systems, it includes labs for the production of lenses and mirrors, as well as a vacuum chamber that simulates the conditions in space, and which is used to test the satellite camera before it is launched for its mission.
In the near future, and upon the completion of the ‘in orbit testing’ process led by the DDR&D, IAI, and the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate, the Ministry of Defense will transfer the satellite to IDF Unit 9900 for operational use.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
