Shavit is the Israeli launcher used to place Ofek observation satellites into orbit. The Ofek series gives Israel a locally developed space-based observation capability, and supplies imagery for national security and other government needs.
Shavit and the Ofek series
Ofek 1 launched on September 19, 1988, on a Shavit rocket. The Ministry of Defense and Israel Aerospace Industries developed the satellite and launcher program. The Defense Ministry overview says its Space Administration is responsible for developing satellites and launch systems and identifies Ofek as a central part of the defense space program.
On September 2, 2025, the Ministry of Defense, IDF, and Israel Aerospace Industries launched Ofek 19 with a three-stage Shavit from a test site in central Israel. The ministry reported that the satellite entered orbit, began transmitting, and underwent initial tests. It said command would transfer to Unit 9900 after commissioning. These concrete details appear in the Ofek 19 launch announcement.
What independent access means
Using a domestic launcher means Israel can conduct some satellite launches from its own launch infrastructure without depending on a foreign launch provider for those missions. The Ministry of Defense calls its satellite and launcher development a way to guarantee independence in space. That describes the program’s strategic aim; it does not prove that every payload, component, data source, or operational need is domestically supplied.
Satellite reconnaissance complements other intelligence sources. Official descriptions identify Ofek as an observation series and Unit 9900 as the visual and geospatial intelligence unit expected to operate Ofek 19. The satellite is one part of Israel’s broader intelligence capability.
Israel’s civil space research is coordinated separately by the Israel Space Agency. Read about the agency’s broader remit in Israel’s space program and about civilian technology and student projects in commercial space research and education.