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.

While the launch of the spy satellite was successful, it was not without a hitch. According to the Times of Israel, the unannounced launch "caused brief panic in Tel Aviv and central Israel" as residents "mistook the satellite for an interceptor missile."

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