Shavit

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Image:Shavit rocket.gif Shavit (Hebrew: "comet" - שביט) is a space launch vehicle produced by Israel to launch small satellites into low earth orbit. It was first launched on September 19, 1988 (carrying an Ofeq satellite payload), allowing Israel to become the eighth country to have a space launch capability. Shavit is launched from the seashore near Palmachim by the Israel Space Agency into a retrograde orbit over the Mediterranean Sea to prevent debris coming down in populated areas. The launcher consists of three stages powered by solid fuel rocket motors, with an optional liquid fuel fourth stage, and is manufactured by IAI. Shavit is based on the Jericho II intermediate-range ballistic missile.

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Launch history

The Shavit has been launched four times. On the second flight and on the last flight, the vehicle failed before reaching space. In September 2004, the latest failure of the Shavit resulted in the destruction of the $100 million Ofeq 6 spy satellite. Israel has announced that it will use the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle for its next launches, in 2006. There was widespread criticism about that decision as some quarters wanted to use only Shavit for launch for reasons of national pride. It already used India's PSLV to launch its spy satellite in 2005 successfully.

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