Status
Failure
Ofek
Launch Time
Sat May 15, 1993
Sat May 15, 1993
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. Approximate launch date. Last flight of the first Shavit version.
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
1993
33rd orbital launch attempt
Israel Aerospace Industries
4th mission
1st mission of 1993
2nd failed mission
Shavit
4th mission
1st mission of 1993
2nd failed mission