BLUF
Strengthened relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates has led to new agreements on possible joint space exploration.Summary
After finalizing an agreement last month (October) to collaborate on several space projects, Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will prepare for a joint launch of the ‘Beresheet 2’ space mission to the moon. It is expected the launch will be ready by 2024. Key points:
It will be Israel’s second attempt to land an uncrewed spacecraft on the lunar surface.
If successful, the two countries intend to plant their flags alongside each other.
The UAE and Israel also signed a deal to enhance cooperation in scientific research, space exploration, and knowledge transfer.
Israel and the UAE will also conduct joint research based on information from the ‘VENµS’ microsatellite launched in 2017, a collaboration between Israel and France.
The signing of the agreements came a day after UAE Ambassador to Israel Muhammad Mahmoud Al Khajah invited Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to Abu Dhabi for an official state visit, on behalf of UAE Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
These agreements are the latest steps forward in the growing relationship between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi since the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE
Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yair Lapid visited the UAE in June, officially opening Israel’s embassy in Abu Dhabi. It was the first official visit by an Israeli minister to the Gulf state.
References
Oct 2021 Spacewatch Global Israel-UAE joint space projects include new lunar mission
Oct 2021 Jerusalem Post Israel, UAE to collaborate on Beresheet 2 space mission
Oct 2021 Emirates News Agency Israel-UAE space projects, including lunar mission, will promote education, tackle pressing issues: Israeli minister
