Israel launches new spy satellite, overseen by Yoav Gallant

March 29, 2023

Israel put a new version of its spy satellite into orbit Wednesday under the oversight of fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant — with the hope of supplying its military with better-quality images.

Gallant’s supervision of the Ofek-13 satellite launch, which was planned months in advance, indicates he will remain in office even after breaking ranks with and speaking out against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul plan.

As Netanyahu put the plan on hold for at least a month to “avoid a civil war,” Gallant has continued to fulfill his duties as defense minister, even attending a security-related meeting Tuesday alongside the PM.

The Ofek-13 launch took place at a test site in central Israel using a Shavit launch vehicle and was shot over the Mediterranean Sea, the Ministry of Defense said in a release.

Gallant hailed the launch as “yet another important example of the Israeli defense establishment’s groundbreaking innovation.”

“Israel has already proved its diverse space capabilities many times and is one of very few countries to possess such capabilities, capabilities that we continue to develop and strengthen,” he said.

Yoav Gallant (left) supervised the launch despite being fired from his post over the weekend.

Gallant added: “We will continue to prove that even the sky isn’t the limit for the Israeli defense establishment and that we continue to enhance its capabilities in every dimension in the face of various challenges.”

The Ministry of Defense said that once the satellite entered orbit, it began transmitting data.

Once the satellite is deemed fully operational, it will be delivered to the Israel Defense Force’s 9900 Intelligence Unit for operational use. Engineers will “continue pre-planned inspections before it begins full operational activity in the near future,” the Ministry of Defense said.