AKIPRESS.COM - Israel launched a spy satellite Ofek 10 into space on Wednesday evening, Arutz Sheva reported.

The launch was conducted by the Ministry of Defense at the Palmachim Air Force Base in central Israel.

Upon entering orbit, Ofek 10 will conduct a series of tests to verify that it is up to the excepted levels of performance.

Ofek 10 is an observation radar-based satellite, with advanced photo capabilities in both day and night and in all weather conditions.

The satellite is capable of photographing objects the size of half a meter and it will circle the earth once every 99 minutes.

The last spy satellite that Israel launched into space was the Ofek 9 and that launching took place in June of 2010.