(Ha'aretz) - A three-stage Shavit rocket lifted the 300-kilogram Ofek 5 spy satellite into a low orbit around the planet, re-enabling Israel's early-warning capabilities that had been lost when Ofek 3 died two years ago and an Ofek 4 launch failed in 1998. Ze'ev Schiff adds: Improved long-range intelligence ability provided by Ofek 5 with its high-resolution cameras is particularly important as Iran is reaching advanced stages in the development of its surface-to-surface Shihab missile and may in the future reach nuclear capability.
2002-05-29 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive