Israel launched a new spy satellite.
Ofek-7 was launched from an Israeli air base Monday and was due to begin relaying ground images from orbit by the weekend.
According to defense officials, Ofek-7, which is manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, will offer high-resolution photographs of the Middle East in almost all weather conditions. The satellite will thus boost Israel’s efforts to track the nuclear program of its arch-enemy, Iran.
Ofek-7 will replace Ofek-5 satellite, which was was put into orbit in 2002 and will soon be out of commission. In 2004, Israel tried to launch Ofek-6 but it crashed on takeoff.