Access to Space, a consortium led by Creation Space that includes ImageSat International (ISI), the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) and Ben-Gurion University, has been selected by the Israel Space Agency and the Israel Innovation Authority to establish and operate a national space R&D laboratory. The stated aim is to accelerate development of space technologies, according to an ISI release on 6 January.
The budget consists of some NIS 60 million (US$16 million) in government funding, of which around NIS40 million will take the form of grants. The lab will enable startups, academic institutions and a broad range of Israeli technology companies to develop and conduct experiments and technology evaluation in space. This will include launching dedicated satellite payloads to be supplied, launched, integrated and operated by ISI.
“With extensive experience in delivering end-to-end satellite solutions- from design and development to integration, launch, and mission operations , ISI is uniquely positioned to provide the professional infrastructure required for such a national space laboratory, enabling Israel and additional nations to remain at the forefront of space technology,” said Noam Segal, CEO of ImageSat International.
DA Comment
Earlier public discussion of the initiative suggests the consortium will offer clients a discount of approximately 35% against current market prices for launch, test and space development services – which will be an enormous attraction. Furthermore, it has an apparent ambition to launch at least 15 experimental payloads within three years. Described as a “strategic milestone” by the responsible government minister, the initiative transitions Israel’s space ecosystem from laboratory-bound experimentation to real-world development projects in space – for both civil and defence/security applications.
Perhaps the most intriguing thought stems from the comment “and additional nations” in Noam Segal’s comment above. High tech is a main engine for Israel’s economy, contributing 57% of exports and accounting for 20% of GDP. So exporting the capability is a major motivation: perhaps to neighbouring nations under the Abraham Accords? The United States, in a perpetuation of the existing close relationship? Or anybody with the desire and available cash? Time will tell…I}
Headline image: ISI’s RUNNER-1 FASat-Delta remote sensing satellite launching on the Space-X Falcon-9 Rideshare. [ISI]
