Following a lengthy selection process, the professional search committee, headed by the Director General of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Shai-Lee Spigelman, selected Brigadier General (Res.) Uri Oron as the next Director General of the Israel Space Agency. Oron was selected from among dozens of candidates who applied for the position. His appointment will be brought before the Government for authorization. Oron will replace Avi Blasberger, who served as the director general of the Israel Space Agency for the past five and a half years and Oron will be the State of Israel’s 9th director general of the Israel Space agency.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Orit Farkash-HaCohen congratulated the selection of Oron and noted that the decision will be shortly brought before the Government for authorization. “I have no doubt that his vast experience will lead to his success in this position,” added Farkash-HaCohen, “I am confident that Uri Oron will continue to lead Israel forward in the civilian space field, which is significantly developing, contributes to the economy and relates to all fields of life. He will also continue to promote Israel’s status as an innovation powerhouse in this important field.”
Uri Oron added that “at the present time, in which the civilian space field is at an unprecedented crossroads, I consider this position to be an extraordinary opportunity to strengthens Israel’s status in this field and to place the field of space at the forefront of Israel’s innovation and technology.”
Brigadier General (Res.) Uri Oron is a fighter pilot with command and operational experience of over 32 years in the Israel Air Force and the IDF, having served in a variety of positions – including the head of the IAF’s Intelligence Directorate and head of the IDF’s Operations Division. Since his discharge from the IDF, Oron has created and managed the operation field at an Israeli start-up that develops technology to solve problems using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Oron has extensive knowledge in managing complex systems and implementing broad-scale strategies and large budgets and state-of-the-art technologies. He has led innovative projects in the space field in collaboration with the IDF, defense industries and interfacing with the political echelon. Oron has earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction from Haifa University and is a graduate of the National Security College.
The Israel Space Agency, which is operated as part of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, initiates, spearheads and coordinates civilian space activity in Israel. The Agency supports scientific research and development with actual economic potential, such as the development of unique and innovative technologies. Its philosophy is that involvement in the field of space contributes to Israel’s economy by positioning its global status and benefits residents in the fields of agriculture, communication, monitoring environmental contaminants and research. The Agency works to expand its collaborations and interrelations with various countries in the field of space. It promotes infrastructure research studies in the academia and at research institutes and invests in startups that develop various components for space industries in Israel and overseas. It develops and produces satellites for civilian purposes and supports innovative and unique space technologies at space industries. Additionally, the Agency cultivates scientific reserves for the future in the field of space research through space education in the community and by strengthening the connection between children and teens and the space field, sparking their great natural curiosity and encouraging them to expand their knowledge and interest in this field.