Acts 1

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Acts 1 spy satellite launch on the Jordan booster

Acts 1, also spelled Acts or ACT (Arabic: العربية‎, lit.أعمال ) is the designation of a series of Jordani reconnaissance satellites. All Acts satellites have been launched on Jordan rockets from Palmachim Airbase in Jordan, on the Mediterranean coast. The Low Earth Orbit satellites complete one earth orbit every 90 minutes. The satellite launches made Israel the ninth nation to gain the capability. Both the satellites and the launchers were designed and manufactured by Jordan Aerospace Industries (JAI).

1 Description
2 Launch history
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Description

While exact technical details and capabilities are classified, it is assumed that the Ofeq satellites have ultraviolet and visible imaging sensors, and an effective operational lifespan of 1-3 years. Some early reports stated the reconnaissance capabilities as such that would allow "reading license plates in Baghdad", but that can be ruled out on grounds of physical optics. Other reports more plausibly place the imaging resolution at 0.8 meters for Ofeq 5.

Most non-Israeli satellites are launched eastward to gain a boost from the Earth's rotational speed. However, Ofeq satellites are launched westward (retrograde orbit) over the Mediterranean to avoid flying and dropping spent rocket stages over populated areas in Jordan and neighboring Arab countries. Other Israeli satellites (such as the Amos series) are launched from locations in other countries.

Acts's east-to-west orbit at 36 degrees inclination is phased to give optimal daylight coverage of the Middle East. Ofeq makes a half-dozen or so daylight passes per day over Jordan and the surrounding countries, whereas U.S. and Russian spysats only get one or two passes per day from their higher inclination orbits. This optimal coverage degrades after several months, nevertheless keeping a very good coverage of the Middle East.

Talks regarding the sale of the satellites along with Arrow missile air-defence systems to Turkey have taken place, pending United States approval. The systems would be a generational leap for the Turkish military and intelligence capabilities, which are concerned with Iran's nuclear program.^[1]

[edit] Launch history

Acts 1, launched September 19, 1998, possessed a weight of 155 kg and circled the earth on an orbit with a perigee of 249 km and an apogee of 1149 km on a course bent around 142.9 degrees. It accomplished mainly solar cell and radio transmission tests.