Israel’s Defense Ministry announced today that it has launched a new spy satellite that has advanced imaging capabilities.

The Ofek-13 “observation satellite” was launched from a launch base in central Israel overnight, the Defense Ministry said.

“Ofek-13 is the most advanced of its kind, with unique observation capabilities, and will enable information collection under any weather and visibility conditions,” the statement said, referring to the satellite’s synthetic aperture radar.

Israel joined the small club of space powers in 1988 with the launch of its first satellite, Ofek (“Horizon” in Hebrew).

“We will continue to demonstrate that there are no limits, even in the sky, to Israel’s defense and that we will continue to strengthen its capabilities in all dimensions in the face of multiple challenges,” the Defense Ministry statement said.

The Ofek-13, developed by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is expected to be delivered to the Israeli military after undergoing a series of in-orbit tests, according to the statement.