President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday hosted the Beresheet 2 project which will launch the second Israeli spacecraft to the moon. Minister of Science and Technology Yizhar Shai, SpaceIL founder Kfir Damri and its CEO Shimon Sarid, and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries Boaz Levy were also on hand.
SpaceIL’s Beresheet 2 will comprise three spacecraft – one orbiter and two landers – and will be launched in around four years. Along with scientific missions and international cooperation, the project will be aimed at inspiring young people across the country from all parts of Israeli society.
The ceremony included the online participation of schoolchildren and volunteers from the six space centers around the country, representing the next generation of engineers, innovators, and dreamers.
“Just a year and a half ago, we were here together, when Israel held its breath and looked to the stars. We anxiously watched the Beresheet spacecraft on its historic journey to the moon. We watched its long journey, were in wonder at the researchers, and were filled with pride at the Israeli daring and ability that flourished right here and at the groundbreaking work of Space IL,” said the president, adding sadly, “We were disappointed and realized that we had to start once again from the beginning. Today, we are setting out on a new path, familiar but different, at the end of which we hope to land three spacecraft safely on the moon.”
“The Beresheet 2 mission to space is unique,” President Rivlin continued. “If it succeeds – and I am sure it will – this project will extend the boundaries of human knowledge with ground-breaking scientific experiments, helping us to understand better the universe in which we live. By launching Beresheet at the present time, when the world is dealing with a health crisis the like of which has never been seen, is not to be taken for granted. In the shadow of the virus, it becomes clear to us how big concepts like science, medicine, and research can fundamentally shake the foundations on which we live. It becomes clear to us how much we have to learn, not just on distant planets and in boundless galaxies, but here on our planet.”
“I believe that the launch of Beresheet 2, beyond being a historic and moving event in the history of the State of Israel, is also an opportunity to take a fresh look. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves of our responsibility for the planet Earth. The responsibility we have to ensure the health of the planet on which we live and the health of all those who live on it. Our responsibility to ensure that what we do today will allow good and sustainable life for future generations,” the president added.
Minister of Science and Technology Yizhar Shai said, “The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Israeli Space Agency are proud to be partners in the second chapter of the Beresheet mission. This is a groundbreaking and inspiring initiative, with determined innovators who are an example to all those with an eye to the future. We are pleased to announce that in conversations with the Israeli Space Agency, seven countries from five continents have expressed an interest in participating in the project and that in conversations with the United Arab Emirates, the subject has been raised several times. I do not doubt that Beresheet will once again spark our imagination, redefining the boundaries of the possible and securing Israel’s status as a powerhouse of innovation.”
CEO of SpaceIL Shimon Sarid: “We are aiming high with Beresheet. Not just to outer space, but to the long-term future of the State of Israel. We will do it by raising curiosity and hope, the ability to dream and realize through strengthening technological education, research, science, and engineering for Israeli students. By doing so, we will ensure Israel’s technological mobility for today’s schoolchildren who are tomorrow’s scientists and engineers.”
CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries Boaz Levy said, “Innovative and groundbreaking technology, sparking the imagination and facing technology challenges are an integral part of IAI’s experience. IAI brought Israel into the small club of space nations, and we see the continuation of our partnership with SpaceIL as natural. Together, we have reached spectacular achievements in civil space missions, swept up the whole country and many around the world with the ‘Beresheet effect,’ and ignited a spark of interest in science and technology in Israeli children. IAI’s advanced technological capabilities brought Israel to its historic mission to the moon, and we are happy to join our partners SpaceIL on the next mission – Beresheet 2. IAI will continue to lead Israel’s space industry to develop new technologies based on its engineering and knowledge, its capabilities, and human capital, which are the best in Israel.”