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Space
Space
Science
Brett Tingley

Israel spy satellite launch sparks 'brief panic' as residents mistake rocket for missile: reports

A white rocket launches at night above a plume of fire and smoke.

A surprise rocket launch in Israel caused "brief panic" in some parts of the country, according to local news reports.

Israel launched the Ofek 19 spy satellite atop a Shavit rocket, used to loft small satellites, at 10:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. EDT or 1930 GMT) on Tuesday (Sept. 2) from Palmachim Airbase on the nation's Mediterranean coast, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) south of Tel Aviv. After launch, the satellite successfully entered orbit and began transmitting data, according to an update from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

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