New Israeli Program Aims to Boost Space Industry Participation
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
A new Israeli program, "Access to Space," funded with 60 million shekels, will allow 15 companies and research groups to test technologies in space over three years. Operated by Creation Space, the initiative aims to lower entry barriers for Israeli firms in the growing global space industry. Participants will receive launch discounts and logistical support, targeting sectors from deep tech to medicine and AI. The program seeks to leverage Israel's tech strengths for new commercial opportunities in space.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A 60 million shekel program will help Israeli companies test technologies in space.
- 15 companies and research groups will be selected over three years.
- Participants will receive a 35% discount on launch costs and logistical support.
- The initiative targets startups, academic groups, and defense development units.
- The program aims to boost Israel's share in the $626 billion global space industry.
- Tal Sela highlighted the shift towards space-based services like AI and cloud computing.
A new initiative, "Access to Space," backed by 60 million shekels, has been launched to enable Israeli technology companies to test their innovations in real space conditions. Operated by Creation Space, selected through a tender by the Israel Space Agency and the Israel Innovation Authority, the program aims to increase Israel's involvement in the global space industry.
Over the next three years, 15 companies and research groups will be chosen to send experimental payloads to space. Participants will receive a 35% discount on launch costs, along with assistance in selecting launch providers, booking launch windows, and managing logistical and administrative coordination. The program is open to growth companies, startups, academic research groups, and development units within large defense firms.
The initiative arrives amid rapid growth in the commercial space sector, known as New Space, which is currently valued at approximately $626 billion globally and is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. Despite this potential, many Israeli companies face challenges entering the industry due to high costs and the complexity of testing technologies in space environments, often requiring years of development and significant investment before commercialization.
"Access to Space" seeks to lower these entry barriers, even for companies not originally developing space-specific products. Technologies in fields such as medicine, advanced materials, communication, cyber, optics, energy, and quantum computing could find applications in space. Tal Sela, Business Development Manager for Access to Space, explained that the goal is to broaden the participation of Israeli firms in the space industry, noting that many "deep tech" entrepreneurs are unaware of their technologies' potential space applications.
Sela highlighted that the economic focus of the industry is shifting from manufacturing and launch to space-based services, including cloud data processing, AI analytics, and secure communications, areas where many Israeli tech companies are already active. He believes the combination of government funding and the expertise of the program's partners will help more companies overcome entry hurdles and establish commercial operations in the global space market.
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