The coronavirus crisis might have pushed the launch of the Ofek 16 spy satellite off the front page, but make no mistake: this is a major coup for Israel's defense establishment and science and technology community.
This isn't the first time Israel has sent a satellite into space, but it should be noted that Monday's launch was particularly successful. Everything went exactly as planned: the launch pad at Palmachim Air Force Base was ready, the launcher (a Shavit model, which according to foreign media reports was designed to launch ballistic missiles) functioned flawlessly, and the satellite hit its orbit, and all data points to it being fully operational.
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In the next few days, Ofek 16 is supposed to transmit its first images from space, and then it will be declared operational and become part of Israel's family of satellites, which already includes two optic and two radar satellites. It will allow Israel to increase its geographic coverage of various targets, and essentially provide near-constant surveillance of them, allowing Israel to track movements and changes that take place there.
Like its predecessor, the Ofek 11, the new satellite is equipped with a powerful camera that can transmit very high-resolution images. This satellite series (Etgar C) is considered successful and capable of impressive performance, but it marks the end of the current generation of satellites, as well as the end of Israel Aerospace Industries' role as the sole manufacturer of them in Israel. The next generation of spy satellites will be smaller, weighing some 50 kg (110 pounds) rather than the current 350 kg (772 pounds) and be built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The successful launch might seem natural to anyone unfamiliar with the field, but it's far from natural. From the westerly launch to avoid entanglement with any foreign entities and meeting the predetermined schedule in the face of endless possible problems, to the perfect result – all these point to capabilities that very few world powers have. Iran, for example, which only recently boasted about a successful Iranian-built satellite, has yet to produce any images taken from it, and it's not clear how well its satellite is functioning, if at all.
But along with satisfaction at the launch, it was hard not to notice the concern in the defense establishment and defense industry on Monday. Lacking a multi-year plan and an appropriate budget, and as the coronavirus crisis continues to wreak havoc, the future of Israel's satellite sector is in danger. Extensive layoffs planned in the defense industry and the lack of economic stability could pose a threat to the future of flagship projects such as the satellites, which give Israel a strategic edge over its regional enemies and rivals.
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