Israel has launched more than 14 satellites into orbit and is one of only a handful of countries that designs and manufactures top end electrical-optical devices for use in orbit. But there’s always room to do more.
Last week, Yaakov Peri, Israel’s minister of science, technology and space, was in Toronto to witness the signing by Canadian and Israeli officials of an addendum to a 2005 memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to enhance co-operation between the two countries on matters related to space.
Peri also attended the 65th International Astronautical Congress, where he met with senior officials to head off any suggestion that next year’s conference, scheduled for Jerusalem, should be moved because of security concerns.
Peri was pleased with the outcome of his meetings. The Israeli Embassy was ecstatic. It tweeted a photo of the MOU signing ceremony, with the caption, “1 small step for man, 1 giant leap for Canada-Israel ties.” Canadian Industry Minister James Moore re-tweeted the photo.
“We hope to co-operate on joint ventures and products which Israel and Canada will build together in the space industry,” Peri told The CJN during his visit to Toronto last week.
Peri, who led the Shin Bet internal security agency from 1988 to 1994, said the two governments could facilitate private sector co-operation. There is lots of room for mutually beneficial ventures, he said, suggesting Israel could supply know-how in cameras and optics and Canada might provide specialized knowledge in tracking and identifying ships from space.
Menachem Kidron, director of the Israel Space Agency, and retired general Walter Natynczyk, president of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), signed the MOU addendum. Peri, along with Moore, witnessed the signing.
Israel has also concluded collaboration agreements with Germany, China, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Russia and the United States.
“Collaboration in innovation, science and technology has played a key role in Canada’s overall relations with Israel,” the CSA said in a statement.
“Canada recognizes the world class innovation and commercialization capacities of Israel and continues to support active collaboration. Israel has a world-renowned and respected space program and a very diversified space industry. There are clear synergies for Canadian and Israeli companies to work together.
“The addendum… seeks to renew and strengthen co-operation at both the agency and industry level and to further Canada and Israel collaboration in space.
“This further underscores the commitment under the Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding that was signed on the margins of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s inaugural visit to Israel earlier this year,” the CSA stated.
Attending the International Astronautical Congress, Peri met with officials from various space agencies, including representatives from South Korea, Japan, Italy, France and the European Space Agency.
Two years ago, Jerusalem was chosen as the site of the 2015 Astronautical Congress, but “in the last six months, we heard rumours of… concerns over the security situation,” Peri said.
“I appeared before the bureaus of the conference and told them… Israel will do its utmost efforts to make a secure and wonderful conference. My impression is that we succeeded,” he added.
Some 3,000 people from around the world – among them astronauts, representatives of international space agencies and executives with industries related to space – attend IAC conferences.
For its part, the government of Israel has committed significant resources to ensure it reaches the top five countries in space exploration and research. In 2012, the budget of the Ministry of Science and Technology was increased to around $50 million (US) in a bid to advance Israel’s civil space program.
Israel launched its first satellite, the Ofeq-1, on Sept. 19, 1988. The reconnaissance satellite was developed and built in Israel and was sent into orbit using the Shavit launcher, making Israel only the eighth country at the time to develop space launch capabilities, along with the ability to build and operate satellites and spacecraft.
Israel’s space program began with military purposes in mind, “but soon enough we understood civilian usage would bring tons of benefits,” Peri said.