PADShavit Launch Pad
SITEPalmachim Airbase, State of Israel →ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret
MISSION OVERVIEW
Intended for surveillance of Israel’s neighbours, the Ofeq series is unusual in having a retrograde orbit. This is due to the geographical location of Israel, which gives only an unobstructed launch path over the mediterranean sea. It is similar to the EROS-A civilian Earth observation satellite. Ofeq 4 (which was possibly the prototype EROS-A satellite) was lost in an launch failure in early 1998.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Shavit-2AGENCY
Israeli Space Agency
MISSION
Ofeq-4
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Shavit Launch PadLAUNCH SITE
Palmachim Airbase, State of IsraelCOUNTRY
ISR
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 02c372d4-3bb2-4de3-a676-4cd6cfec9728
Reported date: Jan 22, 1998 at 12:56 UTC
Last synced: 7 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
Loading weather…
CAN YOU SEE THIS LAUNCH?
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
VEHICLE — Shavit-2 →
MANUFACTURER
Israel Aerospace Industries
VARIANT
2
FLIGHTS
11
SUCCESSES
9
SUCCESS RATE
81.8%
N/A
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Shavit-2 | Ofeq-4 launch?
The Shavit-2 | Ofeq-4 is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 1998 at 12:56 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for Ofeq-4?
The Shavit-2 | Ofeq-4 mission uses the Shavit-2 rocket, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. The Shavit-2 has flown 11 times with a 81.8% success rate.
Where is the Shavit-2 | Ofeq-4 launching from?
The launch takes place from Shavit Launch Pad at Palmachim Airbase, State of Israel.
What orbit is Ofeq-4 going to?
The Ofeq-4 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Ofeq-4?
The Shavit-2 | Ofeq-4 is operated by Israeli Space Agency.
Can I watch the Shavit-2 | Ofeq-4 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Jan 22, 1998 at 12:56 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Israeli Space Agency
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 7 hours ago
●Launch Library 27 hours ago
Launch ID: 02c372d4-3bb2-4de3-a676-4cd6cfec9728
●Open-Meteo Weather7 hours ago
Pad weather at 31.88, 34.68
BROWSE BY
Mission Profile
Ofeq-4 was a Shavit-2 mission operated by Israeli Space Agency that lifted off from Shavit Launch Pad, Palmachim Airbase, State of Israel on January 22, 1998. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch ended in failure.