Beresheet 2 lunar mission loses chief donors due to economic and social situation in Israel
Beresheet 2 lunar mission loses chief donors due to economic and social situation in Israel
The group of donors that invested $45 million in the Beresheet 2 mission announced that they will stop further funding. They will continue to support the educational activities of the SpaceIL organization
SpaceIL announced on Sunday that several of the main donors to the Beresheet 2 mission have decided not to continue their investment in the project, due to circumstances “that are unrelated to the organization and its partners.” The donors had previously invested $45 million in the project that aims to land two modules on the moon.
Sources close to the donors said that in view of the economic and social situation in the country, the intention is to divert resources to issues related to education, and leadership, with an emphasis on helping non-profit organizations in this field that are currently having difficulty raising funds and are doing important work for society in Israel.
“SpaceIL will continue to make every effort to fulfill the Beresheet vision and will act immediately to find new funding in order to achieve the realization of its mission,” the organization said.
“After investing together with my partners $45 million in the Beresheet 2 mission, it is with a very heavy heart that we have come to the decision to stop our funding - these times obligate us to invest our resources and time in other philanthropic projects,” said Morris Kahn on behalf of the donors.
The total cost of the Beresheet 2 mission is projected at approximately $100 million. That cost includes dual lunar landings by two independent modules on both sides of the moon as well as the conversion of the mothership into a long-term, scientific-educational lunar orbiter.
SpaceIL is a non-profit organization that launched Beresheet 1 in April 2019, the first Israeli and privately funded spacecraft to reach the moon, ultimately crashing on its surface.
