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Israel launches 'Ofek 13' reconnaissance satellite into space
MARCH 29, 2023
The Ofek 13 is the newest Israeli reconnaissance satellite to be launched, after the Ofek 16 was launched in the summer of 2020
A new Israeli spy satellite, Ofek 13, has successfully been launched into space, the Defense Ministry, along with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), confirmed late on Tuesday night.
The launch was carried out using a Shavit 2 satellite launcher from an open space in the center of the country.
Ofek 13 is an advanced observation satellite, the Defense Ministry explained, adding that once it enters the orbit, "it will undergo a series of tests to ensure its propriety and performance levels."
The development and production of the satellite was led by the Defense Ministry through the IDF Space Directorate, and several other IDF units have been involved in the process, including Intelligence Division Unit 9900 and the Israeli Air Force.
Head of the Defense Ministry Space Directorate Avi Berger explained that "Ofek 13 is a radar-based observation satellite with the most advanced capabilities of its kind in the world, all of which are the result of Israeli development.
"The launch was successful, according to the plan. The first indications from the satellite are also excellent," he continued, providing updates from the launch itself.
"In the coming weeks, we will complete the technical tests and receive the first images, in preparation for the transfer of the satellite for operational use in the IDF."
Israel's Ofek satellites
The Ofek 13 satellite is the latest to join a series of Ofek reconnaissance satellites, the first of which was launched in 1888.
The most recent satellite to have been launched prior to the Ofek 13 was the Ofek 16, which was launched on July 6, 2020, also with the Shavit 2 satellite launcher.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-735749
Pentagon: UFO 'Imagery Remains Classified'
March 27 2023
The Pentagon confirmed it has photos or video footage of "UFOs" taken down over North America but said it could not release them because they're still classified, the Daily Mail reports.
A spokesman for the Defense Department told the news outlet that the department has video of the three unidentified objects that were shot down by the U.S. military last month.
"I can tell you that there is not currently any images or video footage that we can release," the spokesman said. "The imagery remains classified, and I have not received any information as to the potential timeline on a change in classification."
The resistance to releasing the images is a departure from the rapid release of an Air Force photo of the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina last month after it traversed the country.
The Department of Defense was also quick to release footage of a Russian fighter jet hitting a U.S. drone flying over the Black Sea two weeks ago.
The government's reluctance to release the imagery of the objects has caused speculation that they have been identified as harmless and that the Pentagon is embarrassed that Sidewinder missiles were used to bring them down.
The Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade's $13 hobby balloon was reportedly floating in the Yukon area and stopped transmitting about the same time that a U.S. fighter jet fired on the unidentified object there.
"When I heard that [it was a] silver object with a payload attached to it, that could be one of our balloons," a member of the brigade told Politico.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, roasted President Joe Biden over the possibility, tweeting that he is "providing powerful deterrence for any high school science clubs that might try to invade America."
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., tweeted on Feb. 14 that Biden "let a Chinese spy balloon cross the entire U.S."
"Now he's shooting down everything that flies," Hawley said. "Why? Who knows. He apparently doesn't. Either the Biden administration is lying to us or they're totally and completely incompetent. Or both."
UFO researcher John Greenewald, Jr. requested all videos and photos of the takedown of the unidentified aerial objects in a Freedom of Information Act request dated Feb. 18.
The Pentagon responded last week and denied his request, citing national security concerns.
https://www.newsmax.com/us/pentagon-footage-ufos/2023/03/27/id/1114018/