BERESHEET Israel’s First Lunar Spacecraft

Israel will proudly join other nations like the United States, China, and Russia this month when it will launch Beresheet, its first lunar probe. Unlike the government-sponsored missions by these other countries, this lunar probe will be privately funded by SpaceIL. It marks not only a historic moment for Israel but also demonstrates a business model for other privately held companies.

Beresheet Heading for the Moon

Established in 2011, SpaceIL started as Israel’s first private company looking to put a spacecraft on the moon. Three young engineers created the company. Yariv Bash, Kfir Damari and Yonatan Winetraub answered the international challenge presented by Google Lunar XPRIZE. What was the challenge? Google Lunar challenged the world to build, launch and land an unmanned spacecraft on the Moon. SpaceIL answered the challenge. Incidentally, they were the only Israeli company to do so.

In October 2015, SpaceIL became the first team to announce a signed launch contract. Elon Musk’s SpaceX will launch the probe to the moon. In January 2017, SpaceIL became one of the competition’s five finalists. However, in March 2018, Google ended its sponsorship of the competition. SpaceIL committed to continue and complete its mission. They wanted to land on the moon. Furthermore, they want to advance science and technology education in Israel. (SpaceIL, 2019)

Beresheet’s Lunar Mission

How will Beresheet reach the moon? SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will blast off into space carrying Beresheet and a communications satellite. As a secondary payload customer, Beresheet will make up part two of the SpaceX mission. The Falcon 9 rocket only carries Beresheet about 10 percent of the total distance to the moon. But it provides nearly 90 percent of the total energy required to get there. (Times of Isreal, 2019)

The communications satellite will set at a very high Earth-centered, geostationary orbit approximately 22,000 miles above the Earth’s equator. Once it reaches orbit, it will synchronize precisely with our planet’s daily rotation. At this point, Beresheet will orbit the Earth three times. When the timing is right it will enter the moon’s orbit and circle it twice. Two and a half months later it will attempt to land on the moon.

Beresheet’s Landing

At approximately six feet in diameter and four feet high, the Beresheet lander weighs in at a hefty 350 pounds. At the same rate, it will require 1,000 pounds of fuel to land to land on the moon. What will Beresheet carry as a payload? It will carry instruments to measure the magnetic field of the moon. In addition, NASA has provided a laser-reflector. For historical purposes, Beresheet will have a time capsule of cultural and historical Israeli artifacts on board. Incidentally, the name Beresheet means “In the beginning” in Hebrew.

“The spacecraft is equipped with four landing legs, each one consisting of three telescopic struts that form the shape of an inverse tripod. The tripod tip is equipped with a footpad that comes in contact with the lunar surface.”(SpaceIL)

SpaceIL has stations located all over the world to communicate effectively with Beresheet. SpaceIL wants to advance the discourse on science and engineering in Israel and to acquaint the young generation with the exciting opportunities in their future.

We wish them luck on a successful launch and landing of their lunar spacecraft Beresheet.