Israel Successfully Launched "Ofek 19" a Spy Satellite Amid the Ongoing Conflict

Amid the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions and war, Israel successfully launched its newest spy satellite, "Ofek 19", into orbit on Tuesday night. The launch took place at 10:30 p.m. from a site in central Israel, and the satellite was clearly visible from multiple locations across the country.

Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with the Defense Ministry, Ofek 19 is a radar-based intelligence satellite designed to provide enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Advanced Satellite Capabilities

According to the Ministry of Defense, the Ofek 19 satellite features cutting-edge radar technology that will significantly bolster Israel's intelligence-gathering capabilities in remote regions, including Iran and Yemen.

The satellite was launched aboard the "Shavit" missile, also manufactured by IAI, with its engines developed by state-owned defense firms Tomer and Rafael. Minutes after launch, the Defense Ministry confirmed that the satellite had successfully entered its designated orbit and had begun a series of system integrity and performance tests.

“This satellite gives us another critical observational eye that is very important for Israel at this time,” said Boaz Levy, CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries. “We will continue to run tests before it enters operational service.”

Strategic Importance Amid Regional Threats

The launch was overseen by representatives from the IDF and the Defense Ministry’s Space Directorate, part of the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructures (MAFAT).

Avi Berger, head of the Space Administration at MAFAT, emphasized the strategic implications of the launch:

“The launch of Ofek 19 adds capabilities Israel did not have in the past, especially for dealing with adversaries up to 1,500 kilometers away,” said Berger.
“We are building a constellation of satellites that will allow full territorial coverage across the Middle East. Space will enable the IDF to access the entire region more effectively.”

Ofek 19 is part of a broader, multi-year defense space strategy backed by a dedicated budget and long-term development roadmap.

Part of a Growing Israeli Space Arsenal

This marks the first spy satellite launch since March 2023, when Israel successfully sent the Ofek 13 satellite into orbit. It also comes just a month after IAI launched Israel’s first national communications satellite, “Dror 1,” from Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Unlike communications satellites, which orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km, Israel’s observation satellites like Ofek 19 orbit at low Earth altitudes (~500 km) to deliver high-resolution imagery.

Though the Defense Ministry does not disclose the number of operational satellites or their image resolution, military sources confirm that satellite imagery played a central role in Operation Kalavi — the IDF’s June 2025 strike on Iranian targets.

“For over four decades, Israel has built strategic space capabilities,” said Berger. “These abilities are more crucial than ever, especially during times of war.”