As tension with Iran grows daily, Israel launched a new satellite on Tuesday. This is capable of high resolution surveillance to monitor Iran’s nuclear program. It is called Ofek 9 (Horizon 9), one of six spy satellites that were launched by Israel and it is made by Elbit, a leading Israeli high-tech optics firm. Weighing 650 pounds, it is small in comparison to U.S. spy satellites and it will orbit Earth from up to 600 km.

Along with the United States and European Union, Israel suspects Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran became a strategic threat for the security in that region and Israel has warned it will use force to prevent a nuclear attack.

Ofek 9 is meant to spy mainly on Iran but it is also thought to be targeting Syria and other countries in the region. Defense officials said Ofek-9 was launched at around 10 PM, Tuesday from the Palmachim Air Base, south of Tel Aviv, along the Mediterranean coast. It was placed in low orbit by the 3-stage launcher “Shavit”, an Israel Aerospace Industries manufactured, weighing approximately 30 tons and measuring 20 meters high.

The Israel Defense Ministry Ehud Barak gave no public details but he released a short statement following the launch, described the successful launching of the satellite as a technological operation achievement. Besides spy satellites, Israel also has a number of communications satellites in orbit.

Image Credit: