Res Communis

Israel and ESA sign cooperation agreement

by Sara M. Langston with the blog faculty

Source: Space Mart

Israel on Sunday signed an agreement with the European Space Agency for cooperation on space technology and exploration of the solarsystem, the Israeli science and technology ministry said.

“The agreement facilitates the exchange of scientists, engineers and information, the holding of joint conferences and symposiums and the promotion of communications and exchanges between research institutions and industries,” it said in a statement.

The ministry said that agreed areas of research included astrophysics, satellite engineering and monitoring environmental contamination and natural disasters. It would also cover space biology and telecommunications.

Sunday’s agreement between Israel and the 18-member European Space Agency (ESA) stressed the civilian nature of future collaboration.

“This is the first agreement of its kind between Israel and the ESA, which within its framework, achieves and promotes projects of mutual interest in the fields of research and the peaceful use of outer space,” the statement said.