World

Israel launches new spy satellite, overseen by fired defense minister

  • 29. Mar 2023. 20:36
  • By The EU Times
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Israel has launched a new spy satellite into orbit, overseen by the recently fired Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman.

The launch of the satellite, which is the latest in a series of Israeli spy satellites, was carried out by the Israel Space Agency and the Defense Ministry on Sunday. The satellite is designed to provide Israel with an additional layer of security and intelligence on a variety of levels.

The launch of the satellite comes after Lieberman's controversial dismissal from the Defense Ministry earlier this month. Lieberman had been a vocal critic of the current ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and had been lobbying for a stronger response to rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.

Despite his dismissal, Lieberman was present at the launch of the satellite, which marks the first time he has appeared in public since his ouster.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said that the launch of the satellite was part of the agency's commitment to “the continued development of Israeli space capabilities”.

The launch was also praised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that it was a “significant step” in the strengthening of Israel's security and intelligence capabilities.

The satellite is expected to provide detailed images of the region, helping Israel to identify and respond to threats in real-time. It will also be used to monitor activity in the Middle East, giving Israel a better understanding of the dynamics of the region.

The launch of the satellite is the latest sign of Israel's growing presence in space. The country is also developing its own military and civilian space programs, as well as its own space-based weapons system.

Israel is becoming increasingly involved in the international space race, and is currently working with the United States, Russia, and China on a range of joint space projects.

The launch of the new satellite, overseen by the former Defense Minister, is another sign of the country's commitment to strengthening its space capabilities, and its role in international space exploration.