Status
Failure
Ofek
Launch Time
Mon Sep 30, 1991
Mon Sep 30, 1991
Failed launch of Shavit, for unknown reasons. The failure was kept secret for 25 years before being revealed, but the details of the mission remain unknown.
Rocket
Mission Details
Ofek
The launched satellite is supposed to be similar to Ofek-3. The Ofek 3 series was the first generation of Israeli spy satellites.
Intended for surveillance of Israel's neighbours, the Ofek series is unusual in having a retrograde orbit. This is due to the geographical location of Israel, which gives only an unobstructed launch path over the mediterranean sea. It is similar to the EROS-A civilian Earth observation satellite.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 189.0 kg
Retrograde Low Earth Orbit
Location
Pad 1, Palmachim Airbase, Israel
Stats
1991
72nd orbital launch attempt
Israel Aerospace Industries
3rd mission
1st mission of 1991
1st failed mission
Shavit
3rd mission
1st mission of 1991
1st failed mission