The Israel Space Forum, a joint initiative of Rakia and the Israel Space Agency under the purview of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, marked its founding with an inaugural gathering at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in April 2024. This event marked a significant milestone in the development of Israel’s space community, providing a platform for collaboration among industry, academia and the public sector, as well as opportunities to foster international connections and plan for the growth of Israel’s space sector. While the kickoff event was a celebration, it did not shy away from highlighting the key challenges facing the Israeli space industry and presenting diverse perspectives on how to grow the local space economy.

Speakers included:

Gadi Arieli, director general of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology;

Uri Oron, director of the Israel Space Agency; Eytan Stibbe, second Israeli astronaut;

Ortal Hazut, director of business development, Israel Space Agency;

Hadar Vernik Shalev, CEO, Rakia Mission;

Melody Korman, executive director of the Israel Space Forum;

Shomrat Shurtz, deputy VP Growth Division, Israel Innovation Authority;

Maya Schwartz, CEO, Israeli High-Tech Association;

Lior Konitzki, vice director general of the Israel Export Institute;

Eliran Elimelech, VP global partnerships, Startup Nation Central.

Ofri Cnaani presented Ground Control, an artwork created for Ax-1.

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