Israel has sent a new spy satellite into orbit, which defense officials consider a major strategic asset that will boost the country’s surveillance reach across the Middle East for years to come.
According to military leaders and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the satellite that was launched on September 2 will expand Israel’s capacity to capture intelligence images, building on the 12,000 photographs gathered over Iran during the 12-day war in June. “This is also a message to all our enemies, wherever they are—we are watching you at all times and under all conditions,” Katz wrote on X.
Israel’s latest launch comes as part of a wider global race for satellite surveillance. The United States currently operates approximately 130 military satellites. China is known to have around 70 military satellites, and Russia, 80. Other countries like France, Germany, and India operate between eight and 20.
A reconnaissance satellite is mainly deployed for military or intelligence purposes. But it can perform other tasks. Just what, precisely? Click through and find out who has eyes in the sky.