# Ofeq-6

> Israeli reconnaissance satellite destroyed in a launch failure

**Wikidata**: [Q16500036](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16500036)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ofeq-6

## Summary
Ofeq-6 was an Israeli reconnaissance satellite designed for intelligence gathering that was destroyed during a launch failure on September 6, 2004. Weighing 189 kilograms, it was manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and operated by the Israel Defense Forces. It was intended to succeed Ofeq-5 as part of Israel's ongoing satellite reconnaissance program.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance satellite (also classified as a former entity).
- **Launch Date:** September 6, 2004, at 10:53.
- **Launch Outcome:** Launch failure; the satellite was destroyed.
- **Launch Site:** Palmachim Airbase, Israel.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Shavit-1 (small-lift launch vehicle).
- **Manufacturer:** Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
- **Operator:** Israel Defense Forces (Visual Intelligence Division).
- **Mass:** 189 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array (2 units).
- **Orbit:** Intended for retrograde orbit.
- **Predecessor:** Ofeq-5.
- **Successor:** Ofeq-7.
- **Aliases:** Ofek-6, Horizon 6.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the outcome of the Ofeq-6 launch?
A: The Ofeq-6 satellite was destroyed due to a launch failure on September 6, 2004. The failure occurred during the ascent of the Shavit-1 launch vehicle.

### Q: Who manufactured and operated the Ofeq-6 satellite?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. It was operated by the Israel Defense Forces, specifically the Visual Intelligence Division.

### Q: What was the purpose of the Ofeq-6 satellite?
A: Ofeq-6 was a reconnaissance satellite designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It was part of the broader Ofeq satellite program.

## Why It Matters
Ofeq-6 represents a critical, albeit unsuccessful, chapter in Israel's independent space and intelligence history. As a reconnaissance satellite operated by the Israel Defense Forces' Visual Intelligence Division, its primary role was to bolster national security through covert data collection. The loss of the satellite on September 6, 2004, highlighted the inherent risks and technical challenges of launching sensitive military hardware into retrograde orbits using the indigenous Shavit-1 launch vehicle.

Despite the failure, the program's immediate continuation with Ofeq-7 demonstrates the strategic importance placed on this capability by the Israeli defense establishment. The incident underscores the high stakes of space-based intelligence, where a single launch failure can result in the loss of critical surveillance assets, disrupting the continuity of intelligence gathering required for national defense. The development and launch attempt of Ofeq-6 exemplify the ongoing effort to maintain technological self-reliance in aerospace and defense manufacturing, led by Israel Aerospace Industries.

## Notable For
- **Launch Failure:** The satellite is most notably defined by its destruction during the launch phase on September 6, 2004.
- **Military Intelligence:** It was a dedicated asset for the Visual Intelligence Division of the Israel Defense Forces.
- **Retrograde Orbit:** The satellite was designed to enter a retrograde orbit, a trajectory often used by Israeli satellites to optimize ground coverage and launch safety.
- **Series Continuity:** It serves as the failed link between the successful Ofeq-5 and Ofeq-7 missions.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Specifications
Ofeq-6 (aliases: Ofek-6, Horizon 6) was an Israeli reconnaissance satellite with a launch mass of 189 kilograms. It was designed to operate as a satellite in a retrograde orbit. The spacecraft's power systems consisted of a solar array comprising two units.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on September 6, 2004, at precisely 10:53 from Palmachim Airbase. The launch vehicle used was the Shavit-1, an Israeli small-lift launch vehicle. This event was designated as a significant "rocket launch" event occurring at Palmachim Airbase.

### Operational Status
Ofeq-6 is classified as a "former entity" because it did not achieve operational status. The mission concluded on the launch date with a "launch failure," resulting in the destruction of the satellite. It formally follows the entity Ofeq-5 and precedes Ofeq-7.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ofeq-6",
  "alternateName": ["Ofek-6", "Horizon 6"],
  "description": "Israeli reconnaissance satellite destroyed in a launch failure on September 6, 2004.",
  "disambiguatingDescription": "A military reconnaissance satellite manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries for the Israel Defense Forces that failed to reach orbit.",
  "additionalType": "Reconnaissance Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ofeq-5.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report