19 September 1988
With the launch of the Ofeq-1, Israel became the ninth country to launch a rocket into space.
Ofeq means Horizon in Hebrew.
It was an experimental reconnaisance satelite with a mission
to test the solar cells and do radio transmission tests.. The satelite remained in robit for about four months, after which it burned up re-entering the atmosphere
The satelite was built by the IAI (Israel Aircraft Industries) and launched by the Israel Space Agency on board a Shavit rocket from the Palmachim Air Force Base in the Negev Desert in Israel.