Israel has launched a Shavit-2 launch vehicle from the Palmachim launch site in Israel at circa 2110 GMT on 28 March. The launch was towards the West, across the Mediterranean, putting the spacecraft, believed be an IAI-built Tecsar-class Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) equipped military reconnaissance satellite called Ofeq-13 (Ofek-13) into a retrograde low Earth orbit. Israel has to launch disadvantageously westward – against the Earth’s spin – because of its geographic location. Launches to the East may be perceived as ballistic missile launches by other Middle Eastern nations.
Long Exposure photograph showing Shavit-2 streaking westward over the Mediterranean. Courtesy: Israeli Defence Ministry
Shavit-2 launches Ofeq-13 into orbit. Courtesy: Israeli Defence Ministry
