NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman, far left, and Administrator Charles Bolden, center left, meet with Israeli Space Agency Director Menachem Kidron, center right, and Chairman Isaac Ben-Israel, far right, in October 2015 to sign a partnership agreement and discuss the agreement’s framework for areas of cooperation between the two space agencies. (NASA.gov image)
NASA.gov – NASA and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) have formally agreed to continue their partnership to support NASA’s journey to Mars, and to further shared goals of space exploration.
“Israeli space technology is known for being extremely light-weight. Seeing that conserving energy will be vital in any future mission to Mars, we expect our technology to play a key role in such endeavors,” said ISA Chair Isaac Ben-Israel.
Among the potential areas of cooperation enabled by this agreement are: joint missions, personnel and scientific data exchanges, ground-based research facilities, space exploration and operations missions, joint workshops and meetings, scientific instruments onboard aircraft and spacecraft, sounding rocket and scientific balloon flights, space communications, educational outreach, and other spacecraft and space research platforms.
Charles Bolden
“Our two countries have had a long history of cooperation in space exploration, scientific discovery and research, and we look forward to the opportunities this new agreement provides us to build upon this partnership,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
The agreement provides a framework for discussions of areas of cooperation between the agencies, which then could lead to more specific agreements between the two agencies.
Ofir Akunis
“The implications of this agreement for Israel’s space and scientific communities are tremendous,” said Ofir Akunis, Israeli Minister of Science, Technology and Space.
“The agreement provides us a platform for mutual cooperation between the Israeli and American space agencies and thus allows the science communities in both our counties important access to projects that offer the promise of significant development and growth in the years ahead.”
The last agreement between NASA and ISA was signed in 1996 and remained in effect until 2005. The two sides agreed now is the right time to renew their commitment to mutual cooperation.
The new agreement, which is more far-reaching and in-depth than its predecessor, will enable NASA and ISA to cooperate in the exploration and research of space for the betterment of mankind and for peaceful use.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, and Israeli Space Agency (ISA) Director Menachem Kidron, right, shake hands after signing an agreement to continue the NASA/ISA partnership to support NASA’s journey to Mars, and to further shared goals of space exploration. (NASA.gov image)
