The Israel Space Agency at the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has signed a joint statement of intent (SOI) with NASA, to cooperate on SpaceIL's Beresheet 2 mission to the moon, at the 18th Ilan Ramon International Space Conference held at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv.
Robert (Bob) Cabana, Associate Administrator of NASA, and Uri Oron, Director General of the Israel Space Agency, who represented NASA and the Israel Space Agency, noted the longstanding relationship between the two space agencies, which includes education and research in earth and space sciences.
As part of the joint statement of intent, NASA is expected to contribute a spectrometer for linear energy transfer, communications network support, and coordination with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Later, NASA is expected to participate in the selection of the landing site and membership of the scientific team. The Israel Space Agency, in coordination with the SpaceIL NGO, is expected to participate in the Beresheet 2 mission to the moon and operate in accordance with the principles of open science. Beresheet 2's joint SOI is built on the success of the first joint venture in 2019, SpaceIL's Beresheet 1 mission – the first private spacecraft to fly to the moon. Beresheet1 has had an enormous educational impact on more than 2 million students worldwide, inspiring them to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies. The plan is to have Beresheet 2 launched by SpaceIL in 2025.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology MK Ofir Akunis: "The Beresheet Project is the pride of groundbreaking Israeli science and technology. The new joint venture and agreement with NASA is further proof of this and I welcome its signing. It is also further evidence of the excellent relations between Israel and the United States and the deepening of cooperation in matters of science and technology."
NASA Associate Administrator Robert (Bob) Cabana added, "The Moon is a fascinating destination for research, and I look forward to the scientific discoveries coming from the Beresheet 2 mission. Our partnership in the lunar mission and Israel's commitment to the Artemis Accords allow us to explore the moon together."
Shimon Sarid, CEO of SpaceIL: "We are delighted and excited about the cooperation agreement between NASA and the Israel Space Agency around the Beresheet 2 mission. We are grateful for the continued support of SpaceIL and hope that together, through this new challenging mission to the moon, we will be able to advance space exploration and enable millions of children to take part and be excited by the opportunities that space creates."