The launch of Israel’s latest spy satellite, the Ofek 16, into the deep unknown on Monday morning marked a significant military success for the Jewish state, a country deep in crisis – both politically and socioeconomically.
Taking off from Palmahim air base in the center of the country using a Shavit launcher – which according to foreign reports is used to launch Jericho ballistic missiles – the Ofek 16 successfully made it into orbit and is expected to send back its first high-resolution pictures by next week.
The successful launch comes at a time when Israel is still reeling from the coronavirus, deep into a second wave of the deadly virus with more than a 1,000 new confirmed cases a day and close to 350 deaths leading the country to once again impose restrictions and lockdowns in certain communities.
The launch also comes at a time where tensions between Israel and Iran are heading spaceward, a number of mysterious explosions have targeted Tehran’s missile and nuclear project, and Iran has been accused of targeting Israel’s water supply in a cyberattack, as well as planning various terrorist attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli targets across the world.
But the economic crisis stemming from the impact of the novel virus has led to a significant rise in unemployment, and Israel’s defense sector is not immune. Israel Aerospace Industries, the prime contractor for the satellite, is set to lay off around 900 workers. Though the layoffs will be primarily in the company’s aviation department, the satellite industry is concerned.
Like the Israel Air Force, the satellite industry is a key component of the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities. They are the real “eye in the sky,” keeping a close watch on Israel’s enemies 24/7 from afar.
And that is why “the project was marked as a priority,” IAI Space Division general manager Shlomi Sudri and other officials said.
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