This quick, civilian-sourced clip shows what is purported to be the second publicly disclosed time a missile was intercepted by Israel’s Arrow (Hetz) defense system while outside the Earth’s atmosphere. This occurred as part of Iran’s reprisal against Israel, on 13 April 2024.

While we covered Israel’s first shootdown in space some five months ago, there is an important distinction with the action shown here. While this is essentially a rematch of the same equipment, the difference is this: last time, while Iran did not publicly accept responsibility for arming them, it was more or less common knowledge that the missile launched by the Houthis was supplied by Iran. However, the Houthis are and were still technically rebels. The missile shown being intercepted here was launched by Iran and intercepted by Israel, making this the second exoatmospheric intercept by Israel, but the first between two established and recognized States.

At the risk of editorializing, this clip is five seconds long. But among the other, nation-state-level implications, it means that some of us, over morning coffee, get to be some of the relative few people in history to first tag “space” and “combat” in a news article and be entirely serious. As tensions escalate between Russia, China, and the United States, continued kinetic warfare in space is all but guaranteed, but the history of it begins here.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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