# Ofeq-19

> Israeli reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q136221435](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136221435)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ofeq-19

## Summary
Ofeq-19 is an Israeli synthetic aperture radar (SAR) reconnaissance satellite in the Ofeq series. Launched on 2025-09-02 by a Shavit-2 vehicle from Palmachim Airbase, it operates in a retrograde low Earth orbit and is operated by the Israel Defense Forces' Visual Intelligence Division.

## Key Facts
- Ofeq-19 is a reconnaissance satellite and a synthetic aperture radar satellite (aliases: Ofek-19, TecSAR-4).  
- Launch date and time: 2025-09-02 at 19:30 UTC, launched from Palmachim Airbase.  
- Launch vehicle: Shavit-2 (flight number 13 for that launch).  
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 65432; COSPAR ID: 2025-193A.  
- Mass (launch weight): 260 kilograms.  
- Orbit type: retrograde low Earth orbit with periapsis 419 km and apoapsis 647 km (orbital elements reported 2025-10-01).  
- Orbital inclination: 139.3541° (reported 2025-10-01), orbital eccentricity: 0.0165002 (reported 2025-10-01).  
- Operator: Israel Defense Forces — Visual Intelligence Division.  
- Manufacturers: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (spacecraft bus) and Elta (payload).  
- Power: two spacecraft solar arrays.  
- Program context: part of the Ofeq series of Israeli Earth satellites; follows Ofeq-13 in the series.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ofeq-19’s primary mission?
A: Ofeq-19’s primary mission is reconnaissance using a synthetic aperture radar payload to provide all-weather, day-and-night imaging for intelligence and military applications.

### Q: When and from where was Ofeq-19 launched?
A: Ofeq-19 was launched on 2025-09-02 at 19:30 UTC from Palmachim Airbase aboard a Shavit-2 launch vehicle.

### Q: Who operates and built Ofeq-19?
A: The satellite is operated by the Israel Defense Forces' Visual Intelligence Division. The spacecraft bus was built by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, and the SAR payload was produced by Elta.

### Q: What orbit does Ofeq-19 use?
A: Ofeq-19 operates in a retrograde low Earth orbit with periapsis ~419 km, apoapsis ~647 km, inclination ~139.3541°, and eccentricity ~0.0165002 (values reported 2025-10-01).

## Why It Matters
Ofeq-19 adds a modern SAR-equipped asset to Israel’s Ofeq reconnaissance constellation, enabling high-resolution imaging regardless of weather or daylight. Synthetic aperture radar payloads can detect and monitor objects and activities beneath cloud cover and at night, increasing situational awareness for military and intelligence users. The satellite’s retrograde, high-inclination orbit supports coverage patterns tailored to regional surveillance priorities. At a launch weight of 260 kg and with a compact SAR design, Ofeq-19 continues Israel’s approach of deploying relatively small, responsive reconnaissance satellites using domestic launch capability (Shavit-2) from Palmachim. Its operation by the IDF Visual Intelligence Division places it directly in operational service for tactical and strategic intelligence, contributing to persistent remote sensing capabilities and redundancy within the Ofeq program.

## Notable For
- Carrying a synthetic aperture radar payload (TecSAR-class) for all-weather, day/night reconnaissance.  
- Relatively light launch weight of 260 kg while providing SAR imaging capabilities.  
- Operated by the Israel Defense Forces’ Visual Intelligence Division as part of the national Ofeq series.  
- Launched domestically from Palmachim Airbase on a Shavit-2 vehicle.  
- Placed into a retrograde orbit (inclination ~139.35°), consistent with previous Ofeq launches.

## Body

### Overview
- Ofeq-19 is an Israeli Earth-observing reconnaissance satellite in the Ofeq program.  
- It is described as both a reconnaissance satellite and a synthetic aperture radar satellite.  
- Aliases include Ofek-19 and TecSAR-4.

### Mission and role
- Primary mission: provide radar imaging for intelligence and military applications.  
- Operator: Israel Defense Forces, Visual Intelligence Division.  
- Program context: part of the Ofeq series; listed as following Ofeq-13 within that series.

### Launch details
- Launch date/time: 2025-09-02 at 19:30 UTC.  
- Launch site: Palmachim Airbase.  
- Launch vehicle: Shavit-2.  
- Noted significant event: rocket launch from Palmachim Airbase on 2025-09-02.

### Spacecraft and payload
- Mass (launch weight): 260 kg.  
- Spacecraft bus manufacturer: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.  
- Payload manufacturer: Elta (applies to the SAR payload).  
- Instrument: synthetic aperture radar.  
- Power: two spacecraft solar arrays.

### Orbit and orbital parameters
- Orbit classification: retrograde low Earth orbit.  
- Periapsis: 419 km (reported 2025-10-01).  
- Apoapsis: 647 km (reported 2025-10-01).  
- Orbital inclination: 139.3541° (reported 2025-10-01).  
- Orbital eccentricity: 0.0165002 (reported 2025-10-01).  
- COSPAR ID: 2025-193A.  
- Satellite catalog number: 65432.

### Relationships and program data
- Country of origin: Israel.  
- Part of: Ofeq satellite series.  
- Follows: Ofeq-13 in the program sequence.  
- Parent astronomical body: Earth.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ofeq-19",
  "description": "Ofeq-19 is an Israeli synthetic aperture radar reconnaissance satellite launched on 2025-09-02 and operated by the Israel Defense Forces' Visual Intelligence Division.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123166403"
  ],
  "additionalType": "synthetic aperture radar satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/techsar-1.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/israel-launches-new-surveillance-satellite)
3. [Source](http://www.iai.co.il/2013/35021-39439-en/SystemMissileandSpace_SpaceDivision_ObservationSatellites_TECSAR.aspx)
4. CelesTrak
5. [Next Spaceflight](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7937)
6. Jonathan's Space Report
7. [Source](https://heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=65432)