tests to determine the performance level of the satellite before it begins its full operational activities". Once it is deemed fully operational, the Ministry will hand over its responsibilities to the Israel Defence Forces '9900' Intelligence Unit. Mission Following the launch, the first images were expected to be received in about a week. On 14 July 2020, the Defence Ministry spokesperson communicated that a week after launch, Defence Ministry and IAI engineering teams have operated the satellite's observation camera for the first time. The images were received overnight at an IAI control station in Yehud, central Israel. The Defence Ministry did not release copies of these initial photographs. They are currently being stored at the control station. "The images we received from the satellite are of excellent quality", said Amnon Harari, head of the Space and Satellite Administration in the Ministry of Defence. He added that "the orderly process of transferring the satellite to operational use" was to be continued. Defence Minister Benny Gantz spoke of "another extraordinary achievement for the defence apparatus". Israel is not known to have attempted any satellite launches between Ofek-11 and -16. It is not clear whether the "Ofek-12" through -15 designations have been skipped, or applied to other spacecraft. Israel has been building up its surveillance capabilities to monitor enemies such as Iran. The launch was set in a geopolitical situation, when Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing its development of long-range missiles, its military presence in neighboring Syria and its nuclear program, which it sees as a major threat. References Reconnaissance satellites of Israel 2020 in Israel IAI satellites Spacecraft launched in 2020 Spacecraft launched by Shavit rockets