Israel new Spy Satellite has it in exclusive club

Israel believes its newly-orbited Ofeq-7 satellite can track people and weapons in any targeted country, including Iran.

Israeli officials said Ofeq-7 contained
a
reconnaissance platform
that could spot
bottles on
the floorOfeq-7 contained a reconnaissance platform that could spot bottles on the floor. They said the camera payload could identify and send high-resolution images of items as small as 40 centimeters.

“We have a new camera that is as good as anything available, and that includes the United States,” an official said.

Ofeq-7 was launched into low-earth orbit on Monday. The satellite, built by the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries for the Defense Ministry, was said to contain enhancements to improve imagery.In a statement, IAI said Ofeq-7 weighed 300 kilograms and measured 2.3×1.2 meters. The width of the satellite, with a shelf life of four years, was expanded to 3.6 meters with a solar array.

Officials said Ofeq-7 was launched by IAI’s Shavit three-stage solid-fuel satellite launch vehicle to an elliptical orbit that ranged from 300 to 600 kilometers in altitude.

“Following separation from the launcher, the satellite performed a series of autonomous activities, including deployment of the solar panels,” IAI said. “The satellite and its subsystems’ performance including the imaging capabilities will be tested over the next few days.”

Ofeq-7 joins Ofeq-5, launched in 2002 to monitor such Israeli adversaries as Iran and Syriato monitor such Israeli adversaries as Iran and Syria. Officials said the two military spy satellites would be enhanced by the dual-use commercial Eros-A and B satellites, based on the Ofeq design.

Israel has been known for making some technological leaps… some has been rumored information passes (putting it nicely).  But they have been ones to also pass along intelligence to friendly nations (read US, UK and such) as long as it didn’t hurt their cause.  And with this launch they have a satellite up that very few nations can match. Not surprising since they are also one of the smallest nations with a nuclear option.

Who wants to bet that the US will getting some of their information for a excuse/reason to invade Iran from Israel.

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