Israel launches NIS 40 million initiative for national space lab to serve as 'launchpad for space-bound technologies'

The Israel Space Agency and Israel Innovation Authority on Sunday announced a NIS 40 million funding initiative to create a new research and development lab for the development of space technology.

The new lab “will serve as Israel’s launchpad for space-bound technologies,” and “will give both established companies and early-stage startups a viable route to space,” the press release stated.

“The laboratory to be established will become a launch window for the next generation of Israeli innovation, making space accessible not only to large corporations but also to entrepreneurs and academia, helping them demonstrate the strength of Israeli technology in the global market,” said Israel Space Agency Director Uri Oron.

Though the Israel Space Agency has not operated any manned missions, it has sent a number of satellites into space, conducted experiments, and sent an Israeli astronaut to space through NASA.

Earlier this year, Ynet News reported on a planned mission entitled “Eureka,” which seeks to find life on the moons of other planets in our solar system.

The project, which has been planned for over two years, is expected to be “led entirely by Israel, and reach the moons of Jupiter and Saturn as early as the next decade.”

In addition to the new space lab, the Israel Innovation Authority has a number of other significant projects underway, including a “bio-convergence lab.”

Earlier this year, it announced “a landmark investment of NIS 113 million to establish Israel’s first laboratory dedicated to bio-devices and bio-chips.”

Among the technologies being pursued by Israel’s bio-convergence plan are “nanorobotics for drug delivery,” “engineered ‘living’ materials” and “bioelectronics.”