After reaching a historic peace agreement with Israel just last year, the UAE will now have an opportunity to bring its space exploration program into the future.
Winetraub is one of the co-founders of SpaceIL, the Israeli organization that attempted to land the spaceship Beresheet on the Moon in 2019.
In preparation for his journey, Stibbe was asked to choose personal items he would like to take with him into space. What he chose: A 3D-scale model of the Japanese Peace Bell.
Proposal submissions are due by November 15, 2021, with the mission set to be launched some time in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The meeting was part of a series of gatherings that are currently taking place between the researchers and the entrepreneurs who will participate in the ‘Rakia’ mission.
A group of entrepreneur-philanthropists brought SpaceIL within $30 million of its total expected cost for the mission.
Both the United Arab Emirates and Israel have set their eyes on the stars and have the most advanced programs in the Middle East.
Har-Even was born in Romania and made aliyah with his parents in 1950, with the family settling in Jerusalem.
In the interview, the SpaceIL chairman Morris Kahn announced that Beresheet 2 was scheduled for mid-2024, and he urged the UAE to join the initiative.
Its predecessor, Beresheet 1, reached the moon in April 2019, but crash-landed due to what appeared to be engine trouble, moments before touchdown.
JPOST Digital Library
