Following the successful launch but eventual crash landing of SpaceIL’s Bereishit spacecraft last month, the Israeli government has announced that it will help fund the next spacecraft, currently being dubbed the Bereishit 2 project. Minister of Science, Technology and Space, Ofir Akunis said that the government would forward 20 million NIS ($5.6 million) this time around. For the last project, the government only assisted to the tune of 10 million NIS.

Akunis announced as well that the ISA and NASA will be working together to assist SpaceIL with its second lunar attempt. During the first attempt, NASA provided SpaceIL with laser retro-fitted reflector technology that allowed easier communication between home base and the spacecraft while it was in space.

“The Bereishit project mesmerized and united all the citizens of Israel in anticipation of its successful landing on the moon. The deep public interest, along with the breakthrough in technological achievements, have heightened the need to increase the mobilization towards the success of the project. I have no doubt that the decision to double government support and deepen cooperation with the United States’ space agency will aid the success of Bereishit 2 and make the next landing successful,” Akunis said.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)