NASA to help Israeli firm launch first moon mission

The Israel Space Agency says NASA has signed a deal with the SpaceIL group to help it launch a unmanned rocket at the moon in the coming months, Israel’s first-ever moonshot.

SpaceIL, which is hoping to launch the vehicle in February, says NASA will provide a laser reflector that will help the rocket find a spot to land on the moon, as well as communications assistance.

“We all hope our spacecraft is just the first part and there will be more space missions and technological challenges to come,” SpaceIL head Ido Anteby says in a statement.

The agreement comes three months after NASA head Jim Bridenstine visited Israel and said he was looking to expand the agency’s relationship with Israel.

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