Israel and the United States have signed a new long-term strategic space cooperation agreement that will anchor joint projects with NASA until 2035 and support Israel’s push to send its first female astronaut into space.
Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel signed the agreement on Wednesday at NASA headquarters in Washington, representing the Israel Space Agency (ISA) in a ceremony with senior US space officials.
NASA, she said, is “our largest and most important strategic partner in space,” and the 10-year framework reflects American confidence in Israel’s scientific and technological capabilities “from the moon to the International Space Station.”
“The signing of this agreement for a decade reflects trust in our scientific ability to lead together scientific and technological innovation from the moon to space station research,” Gamliel said. “We are now committed to the next national goal, training the first Israeli female astronaut.”
The agreement, which will remain in force until November 1, 2035, formalizes mutual access to facilities, information systems, and research resources, and is designed to expand already close cooperation on flagship projects.
These include the US-led Artemis program to return humans to the moon, the MARE radiation experiment, the planned launch of the Israeli space telescope ULTRASAT, experiments on the International Space Station and joint educational programs.
Focus on first Israeli woman in space
During her visit, Gamliel held working meetings with Meredith McKay, NASA’s deputy administrator for international relations, and Brian Hughes, chief of staff to the NASA administrator.
She presented what she called Israel’s “next national vision in space,” which she first outlined in a previous visit to NASA, placing the goal of sending the first Israeli woman into space at the center of the agenda.
Gamliel told her hosts that this objective carries “top educational and public importance” for Israel and that her ministry is examining “creative models” to make it a reality, including possible partnerships with the private sector.
“The signing today is much more than a formal document, it is a declaration of confidence in Israel’s technological strength and in the strong alliance with the United States, which crosses borders and atmospheres,” she said.
“NASA is our biggest and most important partner, and together we are turning space into an engine of growth and a source of inspiration.”
Building the next generation of excellence
Gamliel said Israel’s future in space “requires creating new models of excellence,” and described NASA as “our natural partner in this national mission.”
“Our eyes are on the future,” she added. “We are working determinedly so that soon we will see an Israeli woman in a space suit who will continue the legacy of Ilan Ramon and inspire every boy and girl in Israel.”
Referring to Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut who was killed in the Columbia shuttle disaster in 2003, Gamliel said that new missions and joint projects show that “the sky is not the limit.”
Cooperation with NASA, she noted, already spans critical areas such as radiation protection in space and the ULTRASAT telescope, and will now deepen under the new framework.
“The future Israeli presence in space, from joint missions to advanced research, will build on this partnership,” she said, calling the decade-long accord a foundation for “breakthrough projects” that will keep Israel at the forefront of global space science and technology.