Ben-Gurion International Airport, Israel - Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), in cooperation with other Israeli hi-tech industries, launched its OFEQ 5 satellite, by means of the Israeli SHAVIT launcher, developed and produced by IAI/MLM Division.

The satellite was launched Westward today 28 May 2002 at 18:25 pm (Israel time).

With its insertion into orbit, OFEQ-5 will undergo a series of in-orbit tests, expected to last several weeks, to verify its operation and performance.

The satellite carries a remote sensing payload that will enable it to perform its high-resolution observation missions for national needs.

IAI/ MBT Division developed OFEQ-5. Its design is based on proven technologies employed in the OFEQ satellites, and, on latest developments using leading edge technologies.

OFEQ-5 is a three-axes stabilized, lightweight satellite platform, adapted for high-resolution observation, scientific, or, technological payloads.

The satellite circles the Earth, from East to West, every hour and a half, at an approximate angle of inclination 143 degrees.

OFEQ-5 is designed to operate at altitudes between 370 and 600 km above the surface of the Earth. Its projected lifetime is approximately four years. OFEQ-5 belongs to the class of small and lightweight satellites. Its launch weight is about 300 kg, has a height of 2.3 meters and 1.2 meter diameter.

OFEQ-5 continues IAI/MBT's tradition of unique lightweight satellites that provide high-resolution images. OFEQ-5's lightweight allows for maximum agility over target to yield rapid image acquisition. It acquires images in swaths ahead of satellite trajectory, beneath it and lateral to it.

IAI/MBT Division is the prime contractor for The Israel Space Agency. It houses the OFEQ-5 satellite ground control center. This facility serves as the National Space Center for the State of Israel.

Israel's space heritage was acquired at IAI/MBT Division, not only in observation satellites, but in communications satellites, as well. The first communications satellite AMOS 1 was launched in 1996, and its communications services are marketed by SPACECOM, in Israel and in Central Europe. AMOS 2 will be launched in 2003 for SPACECOM. MBT is also developing the AMOS HP, a powerful communication satellite for HKSTG Company, Hong Kong. The AMOS HP satellite will provide communication services over Asia.

In the field of observation satellites, IAI/MBT Division also manufactures the EROS (Earth Resources Observation Satellite) series of commercial high resolution observation satellites for ImageSat International (ISI) Ltd. EROS-A, the first in the constellation, was launched successfully in 2000. MBT is currently developing the EROS B satellite, planned to be launched in the first half of 2004.

Concurrent with the various observation and communication satellite programs, IAI/MBT leads Israel's activity in micro-satellite development , for various applications, cooperating with overseas partners.

IAI/MBT Division holds about 25% of the ownership of SPACECOM, about 44% of ISI, and a partial holding in HKSTG as well.

The OFEQ-5 launch is an important step in the enhancement of the technological and space development capabilities of IAI/MBT.