Palmachim Air Force Base is an Israeli military facility and spaceport located near the cities of Rishon LeZion and Yavne on the Mediterranean Sea. It is named after nearby Kibbutz Palmachim on the Mediterranean shore.
The base is home to several IAF helicopter and UAV squadrons, and serves as a rocket launch site for the Arrow missile.[1]
Palmachim is also used to launch the Shavit space launch vehicle into retrograde orbit by launching over the Mediterranean, acting as Israel's primary spaceport. This ensures that rocket debris falls into water, and that the rocket does not fire over regional enemy countries near Israel that could use the technology. Palmachim is also used to test ballistic missiles, such as the Jericho.
Recent launches include:
In July 2007, it was agreed that once Sde Dov Airport in Tel Aviv was closed, its military terminal would be transferred to Palmachim[6] although Sde Dov Airport continues to operate.
[edit] Launch history
| Type of rocket |
Date of Launch |
Launch Location |
Payload |
Mission Status |
| Shavit |
September 19th 1988 |
Palmachim Airbase |
 Ofeq 1 |
Success, experimental payload |
| Shavit |
April 3rd 1990 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq 2 |
Success, experimental payload |
| Shavit |
September 15th 1994 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq ? |
Failure, unknown payload[7] |
| Shavit-1 |
April 5th 1995 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq 3 |
Success, first israeli operational satellite in orbit |
| Shavit-1 |
January 22nd 1998 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq 4 |
Failure |
| Shavit-1 |
May 28th 2002 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq 5 |
Success, second israeli operational satellite in orbit |
| Shavit-1 |
September 6th 2004 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq 6 |
Failure |
| Shavit-2 |
June 11th 2007 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq 7 |
Success, third israeli operational satellite in orbit |
| Shavit-2 |
June 22nd 2010 |
Palmachim Airbase |
Ofeq 9 |
Success [8] |
On 17 January 2008 Israel test fired a multi-stage ballistic missile believed to be of the Jericho III type, reportedly capable of carrying "conventional or non conventional warheads."[3] On 2 November 2011, Israel successfully test fired a missile believed to be an upgraded version of the Jericho III; the long trail of smoke was seen throughout central Israel.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ "U.S./Israel Complete Successful Arrow Missile Defense Test". GlobalSecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/library/news/2007/space-070326-mda01.htm.
- ^ Israel Launches New Spy Satellite, www.spacewar.com, accessed 12 June 2007
- ^ a b Azoulay, Yuval (18 January 2008). "Missile test 'will improve deterrence'". Haaretz. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/945859.html. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
- ^ Israel Launches Ofeq-9 Satellite
- ^ a b Pfeffer, Anshel (2 November 2011). "IDF test-fires ballistic missile in central Israel". Haaretz. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-test-fires-ballistic-missile-in-central-israel-1.393306. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "Tel Aviv airport to make way for luxury project". http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3420369,00.html. Retrieved 2007-07-03.
- ^ ""Shavit (Israel), Space launch vehicles - Orbital"". Jane's Information Group. 2009-04-21. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Space-Systems-and-Industry/Shavit-Israel.html. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
- ^ Greenberg, Hanan (22 June 2010). "Israel launches spy satellite". Ynet.com. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3909270,00.html. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
[edit] External links
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Ofeq 1
