Ofeq-11
| Industry | Aerospace and defense |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Israel , Israel |
| Products | Ofeq reconnaissance satellites, including Ofeq-11 |
Ofeq-11, alternatively referred to as Ofek 11 (meaning Horizon in Hebrew), belongs to the Ofeq lineup of reconnaissance satellites created by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Launch
On 13 September 2016 at 14:38 UTC, Ofek-11 was deployed from Palmachim Airbase, Israel, following a two-year interval since the deployment of Ofeq-10. The satellite was launched using IAI's Shavit 2 launch vehicle. It incorporates an upgraded version of El-Op's "Jupiter High-Resolution Imaging System," which enhances image resolution to 0.5 meters, and utilizes the OPSAT-3000 satellite platform, which is based on technology from TecSAR-1.
Mission
Although initial assessments confirmed a successful launch, approximately 90 minutes afterward, technical teams identified several systems that were non-responsive. Through several days of remote troubleshooting, the satellite was restored to full functionality and commenced capturing high-resolution imagery. Additionally, South Korea has explored the possibility of utilizing Ofeq-11 for surveillance related to activities in North Korea.