Israel Space Agency

What Israel Space Agency does

Israel Space Agency (ISA; Hebrew: סוכנות החלל הישראלית) is a statutory government body operating under Israel's Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Israel, ISA initiates, leads, and coordinates the country's civilian space activity. Its mandate spans four interlocking functions: (1) R&D and commercialization, including grants for satellite communications (Ayecka), electric propulsion (MEPS), climate/litREVIEW satellites (C³IEL), and lunar ISRU via Helios; (2) flagship missions, anchored by the Beresheet lunar program with SpaceIL and IAI and the Rakia (AX-1) private astronaut mission; (3) ecosystem coordination for approximately 90 upstream and downstream space companies, including international partnership brokering (NASA, ISRO/India); and (4) STEM education through the Space Curious content platform, the Horizon educator community, Moon Games lesson plans, and Israel Space Week.

The agency operates as a grant-making and convening body rather than a commercial vendor. Its funding base is the Israeli state budget, augmented by grant programs co-funded with the Israel Innovation Authority — most recently the NIS 60 million Access to Space R&D lab (December 2025), led by Creation Space, which subsidizes launch, testing, and in-orbit services by at least 35% off market prices. The portfolio is administered through dedicated programs (Beresheet 2 with NIS 20M of support), strategic partnerships with IAI, SpaceIL, NASA, and the Ramon Foundation, and a small core staff of 11–50 employees overseeing national policy. Public distribution is handled through website content (Hebrew, English, Arabic), social channels (Instagram, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook), and annual convenings such as the Ilan Ramon International Space Conference. As a state entity, ISA does not generate commercial revenue, set market pricing, or compete in private markets — its role is regulatory mandate, catalytic grant-making, and ecosystem coordination.

Name

Israel Space Agency

Legal name

Israel Space Agency

Website

https://space.gov.il

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Israel Space Agency is the Israeli statutory government body under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, coordinating national civilian space activity since 1983 for the country's ~90 space companies, research institutions, students, and international agency partners through R&D grants, flagship missions (Beresheet, Rakia), and education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Civilian Space Agency

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927110), International Affairs (928120)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE), Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

Keywords

• Civilian space coordination
• National space R&D
• Satellite mission programs
• Space education programs
• Subsidized launch services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tel Aviv-yafo

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Allocation: The agency operates as a statutory government body under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, funded through state budgets and international collaboration agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Israel Space Agency is a statutory government body under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology that initiates, leads, and coordinates Israel's civilian space activities. Its offerings span subsidized access-to-space infrastructure for industry, co-funded space missions (Beresheet lunar program, C³IEL climate constellation, MEPS propulsion), national space R&D funding, international collaboration agreements, and a portfolio of STEM education programs for students and educators.

Product overview

The Israel Space Agency operates as a governmental body under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. Rather than a single product, its offering is a portfolio of programs, educational resources, and R&D initiatives spanning civilian space activities. The core offerings include: educational content and programs (Space Curiosity, Space Education, Horizon educator community, Sky Calendar), major space missions (Beresheet lunar program with SpaceIL, C³IEL climate satellite constellation, MEPS electric propulsion), the annual Israel Space Week and Ilan Ramon International Space Conference, and the national Access to Space R&D laboratory. The agency also supports satellite technology projects (Ayecka satellite terminals), produces educational materials (Moon Games lesson plans, children's books, hands-on experiments), and coordinates international partnerships and sponsorship programs. The website serves as the primary public-facing platform for all these activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Access to Space National R&D Laboratory A national R&D laboratory launched with the Israel Innovation Authority, led by Creation Space, providing subsidized launch, testing, and in-orbit services at at least 35% off market prices to Israeli space technology startups, companies, and research institutions. Targets at least 15 payload launches within three years on a NIS 60M (~USD 18.8M) budget.
• Beresheet Lunar Mission Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Sector grew 66% over the past decade with approximately 90 companies in the Israeli space ecosystem
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• India (Department of Space / ISRO)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026India and Israel held a high-level visit culminating in a joint statement to elevate their strategic partnership, reinforcing bilateral cooperation across technology, defence, cybersecurity, trade, water management, and space exploration with new initiatives and agreements.
• Creation SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2025Creation Space leads the national Access to Space R&D lab, providing subsidized launch, testing, and in-orbit services for Israeli space tech companies, research institutions, and startups with a target of 15 payload launches in three years.
• SpaceILcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpaceIL is the primary non-profit association leading Israeli lunar missions. The ISA partners with SpaceIL on Beresheet 1 (the first Israeli lunar mission) and Beresheet 2 (multi-spacecraft lunar mission). The ISA provided 20 million ILS in support for Beresheet 2, twice the support given to Beresheet 1.
• Israel Innovation AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ISA and Israel Innovation Authority jointly launched the national R&D laboratory 'Access to Space' with a 60 million ILS budget, led by Creation Space. The initiative provides subsidized launch, testing, and in-orbit services to Israeli space tech companies.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA provided tracking, deep-space communication, and scientific support for Beresheet 1. The ISA also approached NASA to explore expanded cooperation on Beresheet 2. NASA imagery confirmed the Beresheet 1 crash site on the Moon.
• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAI leads development, planning, and systems engineering for Beresheet 2. IAI also manufactured the Beresheet 1 spacecraft. The ISA coordinates national space activities including cooperation with IAI on major projects.
• HeliosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsraeli company backed by the ISA and selected for the DARPA LunA 10 program, developing technology to extract oxygen from lunar soil (ISRU) for in situ resource utilization on the Moon.
• Ramon FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ramon Foundation co-led the 'Rakia' (AX-1) mission as part of the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, with Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe flying as the second Israeli astronaut.
• HORIZON Space Educator CommunityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFirst space educator community in Israel under the ISA, connecting educators for the coordinated delivery of space education programs and resources to schools.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India's national space agency and a recent ISA bilateral partner (2025-12 joint statement on space cooperation). Comparable in coordinating a national civilian space program from a mid-sized economy, with similar dual civil/commercial mandate and active lunar exploration ambitions.
• UK Space Agency: UK's national civil space agency, similarly structured under a government department, performing R&D funding, international partnership coordination, and STEM education. Comparable scale profile to ISA.
• Canadian Space Agency (CSA): Canada's civil space agency coordinating R&D, international partnerships, and education with a comparable mid-size budget and small-employee footprint; structurally similar to ISA in mandate and operating model.
• CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales): France's national space agency performing R&D funding, mission development, and international partnership coordination under a ministerial mandate. Larger than ISA but structurally similar in its coordinating role over a national civilian space ecosystem.
• UAE Space Agency: National space agency of the United Arab Emirates, a small but rapidly scaling Middle East peer with comparable mandate to coordinate civilian space activity, support R&D, and run education programs in a small-population country.
• Australian Space Agency: Australia's relatively new national space agency coordinating a small but growing ecosystem. Comparable to ISA in scope, mandate, and small-employee operating model; both prioritize commercial sector growth and bilateral partnerships.
• German Aerospace Center (DLR): Germany's national aerospace research agency combining space R&D, international coordination, and education. Comparable mission portfolio including propulsion, Earth observation, and bilateral partnerships with NASA/ESA.

Broad incumbents

• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration): U.S. civil space agency; the dominant global peer and a direct bilateral partner to ISA (provided deep-space tracking and imagery for Beresheet). Both agencies perform civilian space coordination, R&D funding, international partnership management, and STEM education at national scale.
• European Space Agency (ESA): Multilateral intergovernmental space organization coordinating civilian space activity across European member states. Functionally analogous to ISA's coordinating role, with broader scope and larger budget; ESA represents the multi-country template that ISA operates in a single national context.
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency): Japan's national space agency with comparable civilian mandate, active lunar program (SLIM), and educational outreach. Larger than ISA but functionally analogous as a government agency coordinating civil space activity for a mid-sized economy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ILSpaceAgency
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IsraelMOST
• Facebookfacebook.com/IsraelSpaceAgency
• Instagraminstagram.com/israel_space_agency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/israel-space-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Israel Space Agency