SpaceIL
SpaceIL is an Israeli non-profit space association that develops small lunar spacecraft in partnership with IAI and uses its missions to run STEM education programs for K-12 students across Israel and internationally, funded entirely by philanthropic donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersTel Aviv, Israel
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What SpaceIL does
SpaceIL is an Israeli non-profit space association (עמותה), founded in 2011 by Yariv Bash, Kfir Damari, and Yonatan Winetraub, that pursues two parallel missions: (i) developing small-scale lunar spacecraft in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and a coalition of Israeli and international scientific partners, and (ii) using that program as a platform for STEM education and public engagement. Its technical core is the Beresheet spacecraft line. Beresheet1 was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 on February 22, 2019, successfully entered lunar orbit on April 4, 2019 (making Israel the seventh country to reach the Moon and SpaceIL the first private entity in history to do so), and crashed during its landing attempt on April 11, 2019. The follow-on Beresheet2 program — an orbiter plus two landers targeting a far-side landing — began in December 2020 but its engineering development was frozen in 2025 pending a budget solution.
Technical components developed or integrated include a four-leg landing system with honeycomb-aluminum energy absorption, a DLR-supplied Crater Navigation (CNav) image-matching algorithm for GPS-like positioning during descent, a hyperspectral camera covering over 100 spectral channels, and a SIM.SPACE-built hybrid lab with digital simulation for lander procedure training. The association has also partnered with Ben-Gurion University, Lunaria One, and Aviv Labs on lunar biology payloads (including a chickpea growth experiment).
Commercially, SpaceIL has no product revenue: the organization is funded entirely by philanthropic donations (Morris Kahn Foundation, Adelson Family, Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation, Moshal Program, Sylvan Adams, Parasol Foundation, Blavatnik Family Foundation, and others) and sells only low-margin branded merchandise (apparel and children's books at 30–80 ILS) through its online store. Its primary "customers" are Israeli K-12 students and international partner schools, reached through a volunteer lecturer network and the SpaceUP flagship educational program (approved by the Israeli Ministry of Education under GEFEN program 51472 and available in Hebrew, English, French, and Arabic), with over one million students reported as engaged since the Beresheet1 mission.
SpaceIL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SpaceIL
- Legal name
- SpaceIL
- Website
- https://spaceil.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SpaceIL is an Israeli non-profit space association that develops small lunar spacecraft in partnership with IAI and uses its missions to run STEM education programs for K-12 students across Israel and internationally, funded entirely by philanthropic donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SpaceIL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-profit Space Exploration and STEM Education
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reentry, Descent & Landing Systems (Capsules, Heat Shields, Parachutes) (IMABACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK), Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)
Keywords
Where SpaceIL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tel Aviv
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
SpaceIL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropic Funding: SpaceIL is a non-profit organization that relies entirely on donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations. Major donors include Morris Kahn, the Adelson family, Sylvan Adams, and various foundations. The organization accepts tax-deductible donations in multiple currencies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One-time or recurring | Donation tiers for supporting the mission |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
SpaceIL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SpaceIL is an Israeli non-profit association that designs and operates lunar spacecraft missions, including Beresheet1 (which reached lunar orbit in April 2019) and the planned Beresheet2 orbiter-and-two-landers mission. In parallel, it delivers STEM educational outreach through the SpaceUP program, volunteer-led school and adult lectures reaching over one million students, the Parasol Foundation Women in SpaceIL scholarship initiative, and branded merchandise via its online store.
Product overview
SpaceIL is a non-profit Israeli organization operating two lunar spacecraft missions (Beresheet1 and Beresheet2) combined with extensive educational outreach programs. Beresheet1 was Israel's first spacecraft to reach lunar orbit in 2019. Beresheet2 is the planned follow-on mission with an orbiter and two landers. Supporting the spacecraft programs, SpaceIL offers the SpaceUP educational program for schools, volunteer lecture services, a scholarship initiative for women in space, and branded merchandise through its store.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SpaceUP: SpaceIL's flagship educational program designed to make space engineering accessible to students through direct connection to real space projects. The international program is available in Hebrew, English, French, and Arabic.
Products and services
- Beresheet1 lunar spacecraft mission Israel's first lunar spacecraft, developed by SpaceIL in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries. Successfully launched in February 2019 and achieved lunar orbit, though the landing was unsuccessful. The mission made Israel the seventh country to reach the Moon and SpaceIL the first private entity to do so.
- Beresheet2 lunar mission Second Israeli lunar mission comprising an orbiter and two landers, designed to achieve multiple records including a far-side lunar landing. Development frozen in 2025 pending budget solution; in partnership with NASA (communication and science support) and DLR (Crater Navigation algorithm).
- SpaceUP educational program Flagship educational program connecting students to real space mission data from Beresheet spacecraft. Includes hands-on research missions, AI tools introduction, and collaboration with the Israeli space industry. Available internationally in Hebrew, English, French, and Arabic.
- Lectures for Schools Volunteer-delivered presentations for kindergarten through 12th grade students about SpaceIL's story and space exploration, available in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. Designed to inspire students toward science, engineering, technology, and mathematics fields.
- Lectures for Adults Presentations for communities, companies, and organizations about SpaceIL's journey to the Moon and inspiration in science and technology. Deliverable as in-person or virtual talks for adult audiences.
- SpaceIL branded merchandise store Online store selling SpaceIL branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and children's books about the Beresheet spacecraft. Pricing in the 30-80 ILS range for apparel items.
- Parasol Foundation Women in SpaceIL scholarship program Joint initiative with the Parasol Foundation to empower women in space careers through engineering positions, academic scholarships, and postdoctoral research grants totaling $500,000 for participation in Beresheet2 development.
- Time Capsule digital archive Digital information repository carried on the Beresheet1 spacecraft containing the Wikipedia encyclopedia, dictionaries, children's drawings, Jewish and Israeli symbols, and materials collected from the public.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million students inspired and connected to science and technology studies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SpaceIL
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SpaceIL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SpaceIL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)coreProviding the Crater Navigation algorithm (CNav) for Beresheet2 mission, which identifies craters in lunar surface images and provides GPS-like positioning for spacecraft navigation during landing.
- NASAcoreCollaboration on Beresheet2 mission including Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer contribution, communication network support, coordination with NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and participation in landing site selection and science team.
- SIM.SPACEmajorContracted to develop hybrid lab and digital simulation for Beresheet2 landers. Founders previously developed original Beresheet1 simulations.
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)corePrimary development partner for Beresheet spacecraft, responsible for spacecraft assembly, testing, and integration. The control room operations are managed from IAI facilities in Yehud.
- Israel Space AgencycoreGovernment space agency providing support, coordination, and partnership in lunar missions. Signed joint statement of intent with NASA for Beresheet2 collaboration.
- Lunaria One ConsortiummajorInternational consortium including Ben-Gurion University selected to send plants to moon on Beresheet2 lander. Includes scientists from Australia, Israel, South Africa and USA.
- Ben-Gurion University of the NegevmajorCoordinating plant biology research for Lunaria One project. Prof. Simon Barak coordinating plant biologists and imaging specialists from the university.
- Weizmann Institute of SciencecoreAcademic partner in the SpaceIL initiative, contributing scientific expertise and research capabilities to the mission.
- Tel Aviv UniversitycoreAcademic partner contributing to SpaceIL mission development and scientific research.
- Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) HerzliyacoreAcademic partner in the SpaceIL initiative.
- Ministry of Science and TechnologycoreGovernment ministry supporting SpaceIL initiatives and space exploration.
- XPRIZEminorSpace competition organizer; SpaceIL originated from Google Lunar XPRIZE competition.
- CompediamajorEducational technology partner that collaborated with SpaceIL to develop the SpaceUP learning platform and interactive educational content.
- Aviv LabsminorLeading lunar agriculture initiative for chickpea growth experiment on the moon, exploring cultivation under lunar conditions.
- Israeli Ministry of EducationcoreApproved SpaceUP program under GEFEN program number 51472 for use in Israeli schools.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SpaceIL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NASA: US civil space agency and SpaceIL's Beresheet2 collaboration partner (joint statement of intent, LET spectrometer, communications network, and LRO coordination). Broad incumbent operating in the same lunar exploration category.
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI): Israel's national aerospace prime and SpaceIL's primary manufacturing, integration, and testing partner. Comparable as the incumbent aerospace organization that built and operated the Beresheet spacecraft from IAI facilities in Yehud.
Direct peers
- Astrobotic Technology: US-based private lunar lander company (Peregrine lander, Griffin lander) operating NASA CLPS missions. Directly comparable to SpaceIL as a private entity developing and flying lunar landers with government and commercial payload customers.
- Intuitive Machines: US private space company that flew the IM-1 Nova-C Odysseus lander to the Moon under NASA CLPS. Comparable to SpaceIL in operating small-scale commercial lunar landers built from non-traditional aerospace supply chains.
- Firefly Aerospace: US private space company developing the Blue Ghost lunar lander for NASA CLPS missions. Comparable to SpaceIL in building and operating small lunar landers with government-backed payload contracts.
- Moon Express: US private lunar company and fellow Google Lunar XPRIZE competitor focused on commercial lunar payload delivery. Directly comparable as a privately funded lunar lander venture emerging from the same XPRIZE ecosystem as SpaceIL.
- ispace: Japanese private lunar lander company that operated the HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lander. Direct peer to SpaceIL as a privately funded organization pursuing commercial and symbolic lunar landings with educational and national-pride dimensions.
Others
- XPRIZE Foundation: Organizer of the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition from which SpaceIL originated and an ongoing partner. Comparable as the competition organizer and ecosystem enabler that seeded SpaceIL's founding mission.
- German Aerospace Center (DLR): German national space agency providing the Crater Navigation algorithm for Beresheet2. Comparable as an enabling technology partner rather than a direct competitor, but materially involved in SpaceIL's mission technology.
Emerging players
- TeamIndus: Indian private lunar lander venture and former Google Lunar XPRIZE competitor. Comparable to SpaceIL as a privately funded XPRIZE-era lunar lander team, though primarily focused on the Indian market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SpaceIL social profiles
Digital presenceSpaceIL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SpaceIL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
SpaceIL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors6 records
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SpaceIL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SpaceIL
What does SpaceIL do?
SpaceIL is an Israeli non-profit association that designs and operates lunar spacecraft missions, including Beresheet1 (which reached lunar orbit in April 2019) and the planned Beresheet2 orbiter-and-two-landers mission. In parallel, it delivers STEM educational outreach through the SpaceUP program, volunteer-led school and adult lectures reaching over one million students, the Parasol Foundation Women in SpaceIL scholarship initiative, and branded merchandise via its online store.
Is SpaceIL a public or private company?
SpaceIL is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SpaceIL founded?
SpaceIL was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SpaceIL based?
SpaceIL is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, in the Middle East region.
How does SpaceIL make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Philanthropic Funding.
Who are SpaceIL's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NASA and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Direct peers are Astrobotic Technology, Intuitive Machines, Firefly Aerospace, Moon Express and ispace. Others are XPRIZE Foundation and German Aerospace Center (DLR). TeamIndus is listed as an emerging player.
Does SpaceIL have an API?
No public API is recorded for SpaceIL.
What industry is SpaceIL in?
SpaceIL's product category is Non-profit Space Exploration and STEM Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAL, Reentry, Descent & Landing Systems (Capsules, Heat Shields, Parachutes), with a secondary code of EDAMABAE, Space & Astronomy Programs. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.