# Ofeq

> series of Israeli reconnaissance satellites

**Wikidata**: [Q1130496](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1130496)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofeq)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ofeq

## Summary
Ofeq is Israel's series of reconnaissance satellites, operated by the Ministry of Defense, comprising 13 satellites launched since 1988. These satellites are manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd and form the core of Israel's space-based intelligence capabilities.

## Key Facts
- **Operator**: Ministry of Defense (Israel)
- **Country of Origin**: Israel
- **Quantity**: 13 satellites
- **Inception**: 1988
- **Manufacturer**: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd
- **Components**: Includes Ofeq-1 through Ofeq-10, TecSAR-1, and Ofeq-7. Specific satellites include Ofeq-1, Ofeq-2, Ofeq-3, Ofeq-4 (launch failure), Ofeq-5, Ofeq-6 (launch failure), Ofeq-7, TecSAR-1, Ofeq-9, and Ofeq-10.
- **Status of Early Satellites**: Ofeq-1, Ofeq-2, Ofeq-3, Ofeq-4, and Ofeq-6 experienced atmospheric entry, demolition, or destruction.
- **Class**: reconnaissance satellite; instance of spacecraft series; subclass of reconnaissance satellite
- **Sitelink Count**: 23

## FAQs
### Q: Who operates the Ofeq satellites?
A: The Ofeq satellites are operated by the Ministry of Defense of Israel.

### Q: When did the Ofeq program begin?
A: The Ofeq program began in 1988 with the launch of Ofeq-1.

### Q: How many Ofeq satellites have been launched?
A: A total of 13 Ofeq satellites have been launched.

### Q: What happened to Ofeq-4 and Ofeq-6?
A: Ofeq-4 experienced a launch failure and was demolished or destroyed. Ofeq-6 also experienced a launch failure and was demolished or destroyed.

### Q: What company manufactures the Ofeq satellites?
A: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd manufactures the Ofeq satellites.

## Why It Matters
Ofeq is significant as Israel's primary indigenous reconnaissance satellite constellation, providing critical intelligence capabilities essential for national security. It enables autonomous space-based surveillance, reducing reliance on foreign assets and enhancing Israel's strategic situational awareness. The program demonstrates Israel's advanced aerospace engineering and its ability to recover from launch failures, contributing to its resilience and technological leadership in the Middle East. Ofeq directly supports military planning, border monitoring, and threat assessment, playing an indispensable role in protecting Israeli interests.

## Notable For
- Being Israel's dedicated series of reconnaissance satellites.
- The quantity of 13 satellites launched since inception.
- Manufactured exclusively by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
- Including satellites that suffered launch failures (Ofeq-4, Ofeq-6) and atmospheric entry/destruction (Ofeq-1, Ofeq-2, Ofeq-3).
- Being documented in 23 Wikipedia articles across multiple languages (ar, cs, de, en, es, fa, fi, fr, gl, he).

## Body
### Overview
- Ofeq is a series of Israeli reconnaissance satellites classified as both an instance of "spacecraft series" and a subclass of "reconstruction satellite".
- The program is operated by the Ministry of Defense of Israel.
- Satellites are manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
- The series began in 1988 with the launch of Ofeq-1.
- A total of 13 Ofeq satellites have been launched.

### Components
- **Ofeq-1**: Experienced atmospheric entry and was demolished or destroyed.
- **Ofeq-2**: Experienced atmospheric entry and was demolished or destroyed.
- **Ofeq-3**: Experienced atmospheric entry and was demolished or destroyed.
- **Ofeq-4**: Experienced a launch failure and was demolished or destroyed.
- **Ofeq-5**: A functioning component of the series.
- **Ofeq-6**: Experienced a launch failure and was demolished or destroyed.
- **Ofeq-7**: A functioning component of the series.
- **TecSAR-1**: A functioning component of the series.
- **Ofeq-9**: A functioning component of the series.
- **Ofeq-10**: A functioning component of the series.

### Technical Details & Identifiers
- Image available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Shavit_Ofek7a.jpg
- Aliases include: Offek, Ofek, Ofeq, 地平线, Ofeq 1
- BabelNet ID: 00664276n
- Freebase ID: /m/052yx3
- Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) ID: 401883
- Wikidata description: "series of Israeli reconnaissance satellites"
- Wikipedia title: "Ofeq" (23 sitelinks)
- Covered in Wikipedia languages: Arabic, Czech, German, English, Spanish, Persian, Finnish, French, Galician, Hebrew.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5352617,00.html)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BabelNet